KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department and Kenosha Police Department say there is no reason to close roads or enact a curfew ahead of a verdict being returned in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday.

"At this time, we have no reason to facilitate road closures, enact curfews or ask our communities to modify their daily routines," the statement said.

The joint statement goes on to say that the two agencies "understand and recognize the anxiety" surrounding the trial but that such measures are not needed, at least not now.

"Our departments have worked together and made coordinated efforts over the last year to improve response capabilities to large-scale events," the statement says. "We have also strengthened our existing relationships with State and Federal resources."

The statement concluded by saying both agencies will continue to be engaged with community leaders about the trial.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has already called on the Wisconsin National Guard to assist local law enforcement in anticipation of potential unrest in the city following the jury's decision.

The jury in Rittenhouse's trial began deliberations Tuesday morning after a full day of closing arguments and jury instructions on Monday.

Rittenhouse selects numbers of dismissed jurors

The judge had Rittenhouse draw slips from a raffle drum to select alternate jurors who will be dismissed before deliberations. Eighteen jurors sat through two weeks of testimony.

The jurors must decide if Rittenhouse is responsible for the deaths of the two protesters he shot on Aug. 25, 2020, amid at times violent demonstrations against police brutality following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Rittenhouse faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. He faces life in prison if convicted on one of the intentional homicide counts.

This story was originally published by Scripps station TMJ4 in Milwaukee.

KENOSHA, Wis. —

Kyle Rittenhouse's defense team rested its case Thursday afternoon and the body of evidence is now closed.

The judge gave the jury Friday off while the prosecution and defense agree on final instructions.

"Even though evidence is closed it is not appropriate to discuss with anybody." Judge Bruce Schroeder told the jury.

Prosecutors said they will ask the judge to allow the jury to consider lesser charges on some of the most serious homicide charges.

Schroeder said they will begin again Monday morning with jury instructions.

That is expected to take up to an hour.

The state will then present its closing arguments.

Prosecutor Thomas Binger said he expected that to take up to two hours.

Defense attorney Mark Richards said he expected his closing arguments to take about 90 minutes.

The state will then have a final rebuttal, which Binger said could take up to an additional 30 minutes.

The judge said he would allow each side to have up to 2.5 hours total for their closing arguments.

He will then draw 12 numbers to decide the final jurors who will decide the case.

Those jurors will then begin their deliberations.

KENOSHA, Wis. —

Jury selection for the Kyle Rittenhouse trial begins Monday.

Community members told sister station WISN 12 News tensions and anxiety run high as the trial approaches.

"I think people are a little nervous about how this is all going to play out," said Tanya McLean, executive director of the Leaders of Kenosha. "No matter what, we want everyone to remain peaceful because this is about getting justice for two young men."

Rittenhouse shot three men in August 2020 during unrest in Kenosha. Gaige Grosskreutz survived, but he killed Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum.

Rittenhouse claims he shot the men in self-defense.

"It is without debate, judge, all three of these people were chasing Kyle Rittenhouse," a defense attorney said at the last court hearing.

Now a jury will review footage and testimony to decide.

The Leaders of Kenosha group told WISN 12 News they believe justice will only be served if Rittenhouse is convicted of murder.

However, they said safety is a number one concern and priority heading into next week.

"Nobody deserves to go to a rally and not come home at night," said Justin Blake, Jacob Blake's uncle. "It doesn’t mean much to your family if you don't make it home."

The August unrest in Kenosha was in response to the Jacob Blake shooting.

"We have to accept the possibility that because of all these factors there's a chance justice won't fully be served," said Hannah Gittings, Huber's partner. "But what we need to remember is that our strength lies in our numbers and our bind."

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said there will be increased police presence and security surrounding the courthouse during the trial.

"Our responsibility to public safety is of utmost importance," Sheriff David Beth said in a statement. "These measures are meant to ensure the safety of the public that has legal business in and around the courthouse campus as well as Civic Center employees while maintaining the integrity of the trial."