MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) – An 18-year-old from Illinois who is accused of killing two people and injuring a third during a protest against police violence in Wisconsin last summer fired a California lawyer who was requesting money for his case.
John Pierce, a Los Angeles attorney, was at the forefront of Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense, helping to raise money from conservatives to pay Rittenhouse’s $ 2 million bail in November. He also hired attorney Mark Richards to handle the lawsuits in Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse, who is white and was 17 at the time, is accused of shooting three people in Kenosha in August, while hundreds protested the police shooting at Jacob Blake, a black man. Rittenhouse, who came to Kenosha from his home in neighboring Antioch, Illinois, argued that they attacked him and he shot self-defense.
A judge is considering whether to issue a new arrest warrant for Rittenhouse after prosecutors said he violated bail conditions. Prosecutors alleged that he did not inform the court of a change of address 48 hours after the move.
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Pierce withdrew from Rittenhouse’s criminal case in December, after prosecutors claimed that Pierce has “significant financial difficulties” and should not be allowed to raise money for Rittenhouse. He remained as a lawyer for Rittenhouse in civil matters
Supporters of Rittenhouse tweeted on his FreeKyleUSA account on Thursday that Rittenhouse fired Pierce on Monday morning. Pierce confirmed this, tweeting that he struggled with “every fiber” of his being for Rittenhouse.
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Another tweet on FreeKyleUSA said Rittenhouse hired another Los Angeles attorney, Robert Barnes. Barnes confirmed the signing on Twitter Thursday night.
“I’m happy to join the #KyleRittenhouse team. The boy is innocent and everyone knows it,” Barnes tweeted.