NBC Edits Rittenhouse Judge Slamming Media Coverage, Deflects to Public

During day two of jury deliberation in the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse on Wednesday, Judge Bruce Schroeder called out the media from the bench scolded them for their “grossly irresponsible handling of what comes out of this trial.” But while ABC’s World News Tonight and CBS Evening NewsThe Judge was completely ignored NBC Nightly News decided to edit the video of his comments and suggest he was only scolding the general “public criticism of the attorneys in this case.”

In a segment that was fairly accurate in explaining the defense’s motion for a mistrial with prejudice, unlike CBS (as will be explained later), national correspondent Gabe Gutierrez squandered it by falsely framing Schroeder’s scathing comments as directed at the general public watching the trial:

GUTIERREZ. The judge in the case also engages in public criticism of the attorneys.

SCHROEDER

It is correct that both the plaintiff and defendant attorneys were represented by the judge. “These are five very reputable, competent attorneys that I’ve practiced with for years, and I think it’s shameful, some of the things that are being done to these people,” he said.

However, he said it in context of the way the media was behaving to the point that he thought about not allowing cameras in his courtroom.

 

 

A few of those things, also, have been stated, and I think I can comment. These are five very reputable, competent attorneys that I’ve practiced with for years, and I think it’s shameful, some of the things that are being done to these people.

When I spoke about the problems with media during this trial, it was partly because we were part of that trial’s beginning.

This is what I am going to tell you: I plan on thinking long and hard again about the possibility of live TV in a trial next time. It’s not clear. It’s something I believe in since I was a child. I find it frightening when people don’t see the truth. That’s what I call it.

It sounds nothing like Gutierrez suggested it to be. It’s reminiscent of then NewsBusters caught NBC manipulates 911 calls in the police shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant as she tried to stab someone. The only thing he seemed to have done was to wash away the situation from the media and show it to viewers, claiming that they were the problem.

Not only that, CBS Evening News ignore the Judge’s rebuke of the media, but as noted above, they did a poor job of explaining the defense’s motion for a mistrial with prejudice. According to correspondent Nancy Chen, “The argument, concerning this drone footage, showing Rittenhouse shooting killing Joseph Rosenbaum. Rittenhouse’s lawyers say they only recently learned there was higher quality video.”

But as Gutierrez more accurately explained, “The defense filing a motion accusing the prosecution of intentional misconduct and withholding evidence. The defense argues prosecutors did not share a high-resolution copy of this drone video until two days before closing arguments.”

So, it wasn’t that the defense just stumbled upon the drone video; it was that the prosecution allegedly gave them a poor quality video on purpose and Judge Schroeder was already under the assumption that the state was operating in bad faith.

NBC’s edit job and mischaracterization of Judge Schroeder’s comments was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Liberty Mutual and Prevagen. You can find their contact information linked to let you know about biased news that they are funding.

The transcripts are below, click “expand” to read:

Fox News Channel’s Outnumbered
November 17, 2021
Eastern 12:08 p.m.

 (…)

JUDGE BRUCESCHROEDER: Some of these things have already been mentioned, so I think I will also comment. These are five very reputable, competent attorneys that I’ve practiced with for years, and I think it’s shameful, some of the things that are being done to these people.

As I mentioned, problems with the media existed when the trial began. We were there partly, but not entirely, because of grossly negligent handling of the trial.

This is what I am going to tell you: I plan on thinking long and hard again about the possibility of live TV in a trial next time. It’s not clear. It’s something I believe in since I was a child. I find it frightening when people don’t see the truth. That’s what I call it.

Now let’s return to the main point.

(…)

NBC Nightly News
November 17, 2021
Eastern, 7:04:55

LESTER HOLTS: It was a long day at the Kenosha courthouse. The jury concluded a second day deliberating Kyle Rittenhouse’s fate. His lawyers demanded a mistrial over video evidence. Gabe Gutierrez can be seen.

[Cuts to video]

GABE GUTIERREZ – Tonight’s jury in Kyle Rittenhouse case is apparently wrestling with video evidence. Their first question was —

JUDGE BRUCE SCHROEDER : Are we allowed to view video in private? It’s true.

GUTIERREZ – Attorneys argued over the best way to play back videos for jurors. The incident that occurred last August, when Rittenhouse killed and injured two men during disturbances following Jacob Blake’s police shooting.

Are the videos so crucial?

DAVID HANCOCK, Rittenhouse Family Spokesperson: These are essential. Their entire case was based on the drone footage that appeared seemingly out of nothing.

GUTIERREZ – The defense filed a motion accusing prosecution of withholding evidence and intentional misconduct. According to the defense, prosecutors failed to share high resolution copies of this drone footage until after closing arguments. According to the prosecution, it did not realize that it was of lower quality.

DAVID HENDERSON (civil rights attorney): Whenever you request a mistrial, you’re setting up for an appeal.

GUTIERREZ – Judge Bruce Schroeder addresses questions regarding why the defendant chose six alternate jurors rather than a clerk. This is a rare practice but it has been his standard for the past 20 years.

SCHROEDER – I believe people are happier when they can control their lives.

GUTIERREZ. The judge in the case also attacked publically the attorneys.

SCHROEDER

[Cuts back to live]

Gabe, people tend to put a lot of weight on what the jurors are asking. Which questions are they asking?

GUTIERREZ – Lester and the judge asked three questions and then spent 45 minutes looking through various videos. The judge disqualified the jury from the proceedings just a few minutes ago. They are scheduled to return tomorrow morning for deliberations. Lester?

HOLT Gabe: Thank you.

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