Kyle Rittenhouse's defense fund has raised close to half a million dollars in the run-up to his November trial
Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting two men at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha last year, among other charges.
Nam Y. Huh/Pool/AP Photos
- A defense fund for Kyle Rittenhouse has raised close to half a million dollars within three months.
- The "FreeKyleUSA" fundraising drive was started by Rittenhouse's mother, Wendy.
- Rittenhouse is currently accused of shooting and killing two men and injuring another at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
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A defense fund for Kyle Rittenhouse, who is accused of shooting and killing two men at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year, has raised close to half a million dollars within three months.
According to a post on Twitter from the "FreeKyleUSA" account, a platform for the fundraising effort started by Rittenhouse's mother Wendy, the Rittenhouse family has raised $464,111 from both the FreeKyleUSA fundraising drive and through the Milo Fund LLC.
The Milo Fund LLC is also a fundraising conduit for Rittenhouse, named after his dog. According to a tweet from the "FreeKyleUSA" account, the Milo Fund LLC is a business entity specifically created to "receive donations and pay legal expenses."
Of this amount, the fund has spent around $362,050 "in case-related expenses for attorneys fees, investigators, legal consultants, subject matter experts, and security," read the tweet.
"Kyle Rittenhouse and Wendy want to thank everyone for your support and assistance for the past ten months. We've been fighting hard every day to correct the misinformation surrounding Kyle and preparing for the upcoming trial," said the Rittenhouses on Monday, via the "FreeKyleUSA" account.
Rittenhouse, 18, currently stands accused of multiple felonies. He was charged in the fatal shooting of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and for wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, 22, during a 2020 Black Lives Matter Protest in Kenosha.
He has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys claim he acted in self-defense.
Prosecutors filed a motion this January to modify Rittenhouse's bail conditions, saying he was spotted drinking at a bar with his mother and members of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, while out on a $2 million bail.
Per a report by Insider's Kelly McLaughlin and Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, Rittenhouse is due back in court on September 17 for the judge to hear motions before his trial. Jury selection for Rittenhouse's trial is now scheduled for November 1.