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Could we get a verdict in the Rittenhouse case by Friday's fish fry? Legal experts cast their predictions

The jury has been deliberating since Tuesday.
Kenosha Protests Shootings
Posted at 9:46 PM, Nov 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-11-19 10:33:50-05

KENOSHA, Wis. — Every move in the jury deliberation prompts a thought as to when all 12 jurors might return on a verdict in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.

Legal analyst, Patrick Cafferty calls it the "Friday fish fry theory."

The idea is that the jury will want to wrap things up in time to enjoy the quintessential Wisconsin Friday night meal.

Bass Bay Brewhouse has a traditional Wisconsin fish fry every Friday.

The 12 randomly selected jurors have been deliberating in the Rittenhouse case since Tuesday. Cafferty believes the jury could come up with a verdict by Friday.

"You have Thanksgiving next week. These people have been here a long time they've made significant sacrifices and often times as lawyers we see these cases come to a quick resolution on Fridays because frankly, people want to start their weekend," said Cafferty.

However, on the other hand, former prosecutor Jane Christopherson believes given the notoriety and complexity of this case, we might not get a Friday fish fry verdict.

Kyle Rittenhouse Jury Selection
Jury selection in trial of Kyle Rittenhouse begins Monday.

"Thirty-something pages of jury instructions? This could go into next week. The possibility exists that the jury can't come to an agreement. If they come back on Monday, none of us should be surprised," said Christopherson.

The weekend is also on the table.

Kyle Rittenhouse
Kyle Rittenhouse pulls numbers of jurors out of a tumbler during his trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. The jurors selected through this process will not participate in deliberations. (Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool)

"Some of that would require funding by the county, by the staff, and deputies, and those sorts of things, so it may not be likely that they're gonna do that, but I mean this is an exceptional case and they may come up with an exceptional solution to the problem," said Cafferty.

Jurors return to the courtroom at 9 a.m. on Friday.

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