Rittenhouse after trial: ‘Self-defense is not illegal’

Kyle Rittenhouse on Friday said after his acquittal in his homicide trial that “self-defense is not illegal.” 

During a brief interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s film crew following the Wisconsin jury’s verdict Friday afternoon, Rittenhouse was asked how he felt after being acquitted of all charges against him.

“The jury reached the correct verdict,” Rittenhouse said. “Self-defense is not illegal.” 

The comments from Rittenhouse were some of the first made public following the jury’s decision. 

The footage of the teen was part of a documentary about his case made by Tucker Carlson Originals to air on Fox Nation.

December. Tucker Carlson Originals. Fox Nation. pic.twitter.com/Pf8xOInARn

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) November 20, 2021

Shortly before the interaction with the film crew in the back of a car, Rittenhouse stood in a courtroom while a jury found him not guilty of five charges, including intentional homicide. 

Rittenhouse was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety after he fatally shot two men and injured a third during civil unrest in Kenosha in August of last year. 

The incident occurred during unrest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who became paralyzed after an officer shot him in the back several times. 

During his trial, the teen’s defense argued that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense when he fired his weapon, which he illegally bought from a friend. 

Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued Rittenhouse couldn’t claim self-defense because he provoked demonstrators. 

Fox News announced on Friday that Rittenhouse would join Carlson on his show on Monday at 8 p.m. ET following the court proceedings. In the announcement, Fox News said Carlson will release a documentary in December containing extra portions of the interview between Rittenhouse and Carlson and behind-the-scenes clips of Rittenhouse and his defense team during the trial.

In a preview of the documentary posted by Carlson on Friday, Rittenhouse explains how he has had nightmares since the shooting. 

“I believe they came to the correct verdict, and I’m glad that everything went well, and it’s been a rough journey, but we made it through it. We made it through the hard part,” Rittenhouse said in the clip released by Carlson. 

The trailer also shows footage of Rittenhouse’s reaction when the jury announced its not guilty verdict. 

Rittenhouse attorney Mark Richards told CNN he did not approve of Carlson’s film crew following the legal team and kicked them out of the room several times. Richards said he did not have the final say in the matter, as the decision for the documentary was up to Rittenhouse’s family and adviser.

“Neither FOX News Channel’s Tucker Carlson Tonight nor FOX Nation’s Tucker Carlson Originals paid for any access, footage rights, legal fees or made any other payments in the production of the episode on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial,” Justin Wells, Senior Executive Producer of Carlson’s show, said. “We look forward to airing portions of the interview on FNC at 8 PM/ET on Monday night and releasing it on FOX Nation in December.”

Updated at 10:56 a.m.