MADISON, Delete. (AP) – An 18-year-old from Illinois accused of killing two people and injuring a third in a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin last summer has fired a California attorney who asked for money for his case.
John Pierce, a Los Angeles attorney, had been at the forefront of Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense and helped raise money from conservatives to pay Rittenhouse’s $ 2 million bail in November. He also hired attorney Mark Richards to handle the proceedings in Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse, who is white and 17 at the time, is accused of shooting three people in Kenosha in August, as hundreds protested the shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a black man. Rittenhouse, who had come to Kenosha from his home in nearby Antioch, Illinois, has claimed they attacked him and he fired in self-defense.
A judge is considering whether to issue a new arrest warrant for Rittenhouse, after prosecutors said he violated his bail terms. Prosecutors alleged that he had not notified the court of a change of address within 48 hours of the move.
Pierce removed himself from Rittenhouse’s criminal case in December after prosecutors claimed Pierce was having “significant financial difficulties” and was not allowed to raise money for Rittenhouse. He remained Rittenhouse’s lawyer in civil matters
Rittenhouse supporters tweeted on their FreeKyleUSA account on Thursday that Rittenhouse fired Pierce Monday morning. Pierce confirmed this by tweeting that he fought for Rittenhouse with “every fiber” of his being.
Another tweet on FreeKyleUSA said Rittenhouse had hired another Los Angeles attorney, Robert Barnes. Barnes confirmed the recruitment on Twitter Thursday evening.
“Happy to join the #KyleRittenhouse team. The child is innocent, and everyone knows it, ”Barnes tweeted.