The St. Louis, Missouri couple who pointed their guns at Black Lives Matter (BLM) marchers outside their mansion travelled to Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial in a provocative show of support.
On Monday, Mark McCloskey, with his wife Patricia nearby, told reporters at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Wisconsin that Rittenhouse is a victim of “cancel culture” and that they want him to be acquitted.
Both the prosecution and the defence gave closing statements in the Rittenhouse case on Monday.
He is on trial for shooting three men last year at Kenosha protests following the murder of Jacob Blake and is facing numerous charges, including intentional homicide.
Two of the men were killed and the other was wounded.
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Speaking withFox News, Mark said that he and Patricia believe Rittenhouse acted in “self-defence.”
“We think he’s been politically prosecuted, as we are, and we’re hoping that the jury find him not guilty on all counts and that he can go home a free man.”
Protesters who were outside the courthouse waved signs for and against Rittenhouse during a segment of McCloskeys’ comments to media outlets, as evidenced in videos from journalist Sergio Olmos.
Mark Thomas McCloskey, famous for pointing a gun at Black Lives Matter protestors, is here to support Kyle Rittenhouse.
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) November 15, 2021
He is also running for senate in Missouri. pic.twitter.com/UhVDMmV2qg
The McCloskeys, who are both lawyers, received misdemeanors after pointing their guns at BLM protestors marching through their gated community in June 2020.
They ended up being pardoned by Missouri Governor Mark Parson.
McCloskey further said that he feels “bad” for anyone who is portrayed negatively in the press for merely “protecting themselves and their fellow citizens.“
“There is a cancel culture in this country that destroys the ability to tell the truth, to be honestly portrayed in the press.”
The McCloskey case and Rittenhouse trial have become highlighted right-wing causes, with many supporters believing they are cases for gun rights and freedom of speech.
