For weeks I was fascinated, as millions were, on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. What impressed me most was the ability of the jury to reach an unamiouious verdict. This required the jury to sort through the instructions of the judge before they could find the defendant innocent. I have some personal connections with riots and court cases. From the perspective of riots, I grew up in the third precint of Minneapolis (the precint that was burned down by a mob following the killing of George Floyd), also in south Minneapolis. The third precinct is on Minnihaha Avenue where I shop at Cubs for groceries when I am in Minneapolis. This entire district was burned out by a mob following Mr. Floyd's death. I also have a connection with Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is the home of Carthage College. My advisor at Macalester College, Professor Earl Spangler (my history advisor for my master's degree) became the Academic Dean at Carthage College when I was teaching at Edina High School in the 1960s and 1970s.
Also my interest in the law has been reflected in my 2020 book entitled: Rise of the Roman Empire: The Will to Endure. Part II of this book contains six chapters on Roman law and the Roman courts system. Also as an American history teacher at Edina High School, I taught students basic history of the evolution of the American court and legal systems, as well as issues related to constitutional law and human rights. My general feelings regarding the outcome of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, regardless of outcome, was that the American court system is alive and well, and under the most difficult conditions, the jury system still can render justice. I am especially proud of this jury and their willingness to weigh the evidence and reach a conclusion.