- Judge Schroeder defended his call to bar prosecutors from calling the men the teen shot "victims."
- In a pre-trial hearing, he had said that he would not allow prosecutors to refer to them as such.
- His remarks came during a discussion about a jury note requesting to see videos.
The judge in Kyle Rittenhouse's homicide trial on Wednesday defended his decision to bar prosecutors from calling the men who the teenager shot "victims."
Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder discussed the rule — which is standard practice in courtrooms across the country — during a tangent as the jury continued its deliberations.
"How would you like to be put on trial for a crime, and the judge introduces the case to the jury by introducing you as the defendant, and the person who is accusing you as the victim?" he asked the courtroom.
He added: "And then throughout the trial having all the references to the complaining witnesses as being a victim. Is it so difficult to use the term complaining witness?"
His remarks came during a broader discussion about a jury note requesting to see videos pertaining to the trial.
In a pre-trial hearing, Schroeder ruled that the three men shot by Rittenhouse during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020 could be called "arsonists," "rioters," and "looters" if the defense proved they did those things.
But he would not allow prosecutors to refer to them as "victims."
Schroeder also denounced media coverage of the trial as "grossly irresponsible," defended the attorneys representing the case, and hinted that he regretted allowing cameras into the courtroom.
"I'll tell you this: I am going to think long and hard about live television trial again next time," the judge said. "I've always been a firm believer in it because I think the people should be able to see what's going on, but honestly what's being done is quite frightening."
Schroeder has become a polarizing figure at the high-profile homicide trial.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.