State rests its case in Rittenhouse trial, Rodgers and Packers are fined and a good-sized cougar is spotted in West Bend
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Prosecution rests on Day 7 of Kyle Rittenhouse's homicide trial; the defense opens its case
Through much the first five days of testimony, cellphone video and testimony from various participants did little to undermine the defense's assertion Rittenhouse acted in self-defense. But new drone video and a medical examiner's explanation of gunshot wounds Tuesday cast a different light on the first homicide just before the prosecution rested at midday.
In the video shown Tuesday, Rittenhouse doesn't seem to stop between two cars where he shot Joseph Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum also doesn't seem as close to him as other videos and testimony suggested. Jurors also heard from Doug Kelley, an assistant medical examiner from Milwaukee. If Kelley's version of events is correct, Rittenhouse hit Rosenbaum twice before firing a lethal shot to the back.
After the two witnesses concluded, the state rested its case, and the defense began its case Tuesday afternoon. Nicholas Smith said he knew the owners of Car Source and one of them asked for his help in protecting the business from further damage. Last week, the owner testified that he had not asked for protection
Aaron Rodgers concedes he was misleading on vaccination status and that his stance is 'polarizing'
Four days after setting off a firestorm with comments against COVID-19 vaccinations, Aaron Rodgers returned to "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday in a more conciliatory tone. Rodgers acknowledged he was not forthright with his vaccination status in training camp, and that his stance on not getting vaccinated is divisive. But he said his opinion on not getting the vaccine is unchanged.
Rodgers said he expects to play Sunday but that there was a "small possibility" he would miss a second game. He said he wanted to focus on football now, not his vaccination opinions or politics. “I’m an athlete. I’m not an activist,” he said. “So I’m going to get back to doing what I do best, and that’s playing ball."
But there was further fallout, as Rodgers, Allen Lazard and the Packers were all fined by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols. The Packers were fined $300,000 while Rodgers and Lazard were both fined just less than $15,000.
Trail camera picks up an image of a cougar on West Bend property
The cougar sighting was confirmed Monday by Eric Kilburg, a senior wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources in Washington and Ozaukee counties.
Kilburg said the West Bend trail cam image fits a pattern of other recent cougar observations in the state. On Oct. 22 a cougar was captured on a trail cam in Waupaca County and then one was photographed Nov. 3 near Fond du Lac. "This new image in West Bend falls into the trajectory of those earlier sightings," Kilburg said. "So it could be the same individual continuing its travels."
Cougar sightings in Wisconsin are uncommon but are no longer unexpected. From 2017 through this year there have been 76 confirmed or probable cougar sightings in the Badger State, according to DNR records. It should be noted many are likely reports of the same animal in a different location.
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
The Money
KELLNER: This isn't big news, but in these hyper-partisan times it's refreshing to see that Republicans and Democrats at the very highest levels (Milwaukee businessman Ted Kellner and President Joe Biden) can maintain an old friendship. "This politics stuff frustrates me," Kellner said. "I would always say that Joe's a good friend and I think he would say the same of me."
SCHUSTERS: The delayed $105 million redevelopment of the historic Schuster's building in Milwaukee's Bronzeville now plans February construction start.
The Fun Stuff
WLUM-FM: Kings of Leon, The Lumineers and Cold War Kids are playing FM 102.1's Big Snow Show in Milwaukee.
TRIXIE MATTEL: World-renowned drag queen Trixie Mattel, who got her start in Milwaukee, chose her last name as a tribute to a doll manufacturer. Now, Mattel will have a doll of her own.
The Games
HOOPS: A busy night for state basketball teams as UW and Marquette both opened their seasons and the Bucks were in action in Philadelphia. In Philly, Giannis dominated with 31 points and 16 rebounds. In Madison, the Badgers won easily over St. Francis Brooklyn. And at Fiserv the Shaka Smart-led Golden Eagles outlasted SIUE.
BADGERS: Air Mertz? Hardly. But you may not have noticed that Wisconsin's quarterback and passing game are improving.
Around Wisconsin
OSHKOSH: Tuesday night marked a new era in the relationship between the city of Oshkosh and the Menominee Nation, who had been working to update signage at the Chief Oshkosh statue in Menominee Park. With the city council's approval on five additional plaques, Menominee Tribal member Arnold Chevalier said he thinks they're one step closer.
AIR NATIONAL GUARD: Col. Leslie Zyzda-Martin has been relieved of her duties as commander of Volk Field Air National Guard Base at Camp Douglas after an investigation. The National Guard said in a statement that Brig. Gen. David W. May ended Zyzda-Martin’s command Monday due to “lost confidence in her ability to lead.”
Today in Wisconsin History
Forty-six years ago today the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was inundated by the gales of November and sank with its crew of 29 to the bottom of Lake Superior 535 feet below. It was immortalized in song by Gordon Lightfoot a year later. The ore carrier was named for the president of Northwestern Mutual Life, which owned the ship. There is a Gale Watch in effect for Lake Superior tonight.
Today's Weather
Get out and enjoy today because things are about to change A LOT. High of 57 under mostly sunny skies before rain moves in late tonight. And then..... a decent chance of snow showers Thursday night right into Sunday. No talk of accumulation, but it's going to be significantly colder and wetter.
Not yet a Journal Sentinel subscriber? Please consider signing up at jsonline.com/deal.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: State rests its case in Rittenhouse trial
