Thomas Binger: 5 things you need to know about prosecutor in Kyle Rittenhouse trial
KENOSHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN: The ongoing Kyle Rittenhouse trial happens to be one of the most important cases in the country at present. With the trial in progress, shocking details are emerging about the shootings on August 25, 2020. According to the testimony of Ryan Balch, Joseph Rosenbaum threatened to kill Kenosha's unofficial vigilantes, which included an armed Kyle Rittenhouse, if he got them alone. The same night, 36-year-old Rosenbaum was shot dead by 17-year-old Rittenhouse.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger, who is the lead prosecutor in the trial, has had clashes with the judge during the case hearings in the past months. Several disputes between Binger and Judge Bruce Schroeder have taken place in court. In his latest statement, Binger turned many heads after he revealed that a juror was dismissed for cracking a racist joke while being interviewed to be on the trial. While some have appreciated Binger's efforts, others have dubbed him as 'incompetent' for helping build the defense case. "Prosecutor Thomas Binger has put another terrific defense witness on the stand in Ryan Balch. It's really hard for me to think of another prosecutor so thoroughly incompetent as this. It's almost like a Monty Python script," a Twitter user remarked.
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Prosecutor Thomas Binger has put another terrific defense witness on the stand in Ryan Balch.
— Dr. Hugh Akston (@DrHughAkston1) November 4, 2021
It's really hard for me think think of another prosecutor so thoroughly incompetent as this. It's almost like a Monty Python script.
Moreover, Binger had come under fire for his bizarre approach in court where he played several videos showing the defendant Kyle Rittenhouse being chased and attacked by rioters, before he opened fire. Though he reminded everyone that Rittenhouse was the only person to kill someone that night, some believe that the video footage of the riots and chaos only made the defense case stronger
Before the Kyle Rittenhouse trial unfolds further, we need to have a look at the lead prosecutor Thomas Binger and his past records.
Binger is a Democrat
Thomas Binger is a supporter of the Democrat party. In 2016, he even ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat candidate for the position of District Attorney in Racine County. He was appointed to the Kenosha County DA office around 18 months ago.
Binger has won 13 jury trials
Elaborating on his judicial victories in the past two years, Binger shared with The Journal Times, "In the last two years as a prosecutor, I have won 13 jury trials. I have convicted murderers, rapists, child molesters, drug dealers, drunk drivers, home-invading burglars and men who abuse women."
Binger worked for Michael Graveley
Thomas Binger has worked for 7 years in an office run by the nation's top prosecutor Michael Graveley. He also worked in Milwaukee County prosecutor's office and other private law firms.
Binger graduated from Michigan University Law School
He pursued his graduation in Political Science at Augustana University, later earning a JD degree in law from University of Michigan Law School in 1996. His LinkedIn resume mentions him as a semifinalist of Campbell Moot Court in law college.
Binger was rebuffed by Judge Bruce Schroeder
Rittenhouse trial judge Bruce Schroeder had previously raised his voice at Thomas Binger in court, when the latter argued that defense lawyers shouldn't be able to tell jurors that the slain Joseph Rosenbaum had committed arson. "All we're talking about is arson. We're talking about being loud and disorderly."
Judge Schroeder had cut him off midway saying, "I can't believe some of what you're saying."