There are a lot of differences between what transpired in Denver and what took place in Kenosha. I’m talking, of course, about Kyle Rittenhouse and his use of a firearm during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin. That event sparked headlines and arguments all over the nation.
Yet, with the shooting in Denver, there are likely some wondering why the news crew’s armed guard isn’t getting the same benefit of the doubt. Some are chalking it up to the fact that the victim was a member of the right.
No, that’s not it.
See, there are many key differences between the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse and the guard, Matthew Dolloff.
Some will choose to focus on the fact that Dolloff was hired to be there while Rittenhouse wasn’t. That is true, so far as it goes, but it doesn’t really play a factor in much of anything.
Instead, what matters are the facts on the ground.
Kyle Rittenhouse, upon being separated from his group, was attacked by rioters. One, the first shooting victim, tried to take his weapon from him. At this point, Rittenhouse has grounds to fear from his life. Especially since there’s evidence that gunshots had already taken place. He had reason to believe that if he were disarmed, he would be killed, so he fired to defend his life, killing the subject.
The next subject assaulted Rittenhouse with a skateboard. That constitutes a deadly weapon. Again, Rittenhouse defended his life.
The third subject, the one wounded, had a semiautomatic handgun. He’d pulled the weapon after trying to pretend he intended Rittenhouse no harm. As a result, he lost a good sized chunk of his right bicep.
In each case, Rittenhouse was attacked in such a way that he had a legitimate fear for his life.
The same can’t be said about Dolloff.
Now, understand that we’re still developing our information about what all transpired in Denver. There are details we’re still lacking. We do know, however, that there was a verbal altercation between the two and that the victim hit Dolloff with his hand. That’s not a deadly weapon. Nor was the pepper spray or mace the victim was spraying at Dolloff when he fired his weapon.
With Rittenhouse, we have ample evidence to suggest he was afraid for his life. Frankly, anyone in such a situation would have been scared they were going to die. Rittenhouse simply put down the aggressors and was able to go home that night. Now he faces trial, but I legitimately believe he’ll walk on all charges.
On the other hand, Dolloff had at least some small roll in the escalation of hostilities. Had he kept his cool, the eventual victim would likely have been arrested for assault, as he should have been. Instead, though, he responded to a non-lethal response with lethal force. That’s not going to play well in any court.
Oh, I’m sure he’ll argue that he was afraid for his life, as if that magically makes everything better, but the truth is that no matter what anti-gunners try to claim, simply saying you’re afraid for your life doesn’t make murder into self-defense, even in Stand Your Ground states.
Regardless, while some might gripe, the truth is that there are major differences between Kenosha and Denver.
