Jan. 5, 2021 11:15a; Updated 1:10p
(AP/WPR/WGTD)---An Illinois teenager charged in the slayings of two people during street protests in Kenosha following the police shooting of a Black man entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday.
A pre-trial hearing for Kyle Rittenhouse was then scheduled before Judge Bruce Schroeder for March 10th.
A March 29th trial date was also set, but the defense attorney indicated he'll need more time to prepare and the prosecutor said he wouldn't object to a new trial date being set.
Rittenhouse, now 18, headed to court just as the city of Kenosha is bracing for a decision about possible charges against the white police officer, Rusten Sheskey, who shot Jacob Blake on Aug. 23.
The shooting, which was captured on bystander video and left Blake paralyzed, sparked protests, violent unrest and eventually the deadly confrontation between Rittenhouse and several protesters.
A prosecutor is expected to announce anytime whether the officer who shot Blake will be charged.
Rittenhouse was charged in Kenosha County in August with multiple counts, including homicide, endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm
Prosecutors allege Rittenhouse killed Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz during a protest on Aug. 25.
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