Fear, gun rights and memories of a chaotic summer hung over jury selection in Kyle Rittenhouse murder case

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial began in a way many predicted, with potential jurors offering up reasons why they shouldn’t be picked to decide a case that has reverberated across the country.

Some had work commitments. Others had child care issues. And dozens had already formed opinions on the case.

So many held unshakable, politically entrenched opinions, in fact, the selection process went late into the evening. The two sides eventually settled on a predominantly white panel of 11 women and nine men. The judge did not indicate which jurors would serve as the eight alternates in the case.

In August 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse — a 17-year-old from north suburban Antioch, Illinois — crossed state lines and patrolled downtown Kenosha,