Major media outlet banned from Kyle Rittenhouse trial by judge

The judge in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial has banned a major media outlet after an “extremely serious matter” was exposed.

The murder trial for Kyle Rittenhouse, left, has drawn major public interest. (Photo by Sean Krajacic – Pool/Getty Images)

The judge presiding over the Kyle Rittenhouse trial banned MSNBC from the courtroom on Thursday after a man claiming to be a producer for the network was accused of following jurors.

The man, who identified himself as James Morrison, was pulled over Wednesday after he allegedly blew a red light while pursuing a bus that transports jurors from the Kenosha County Courthouse, Judge Bruce Schroeder said.

“He stated that he had been instructed by (a superior) in New York to follow the jury bus,” Schroeder said.

Police confirmed Thursday that there was an “incident with a person who is alleging to be affiliated with a national media outlet” and the suspect was issued several traffic citations.

“Police suspect this person was trying to photograph jurors. This incident is being investigated much further,” police said.

There was no breach of security regarding the jury, nor were there any photographs obtained. This investigation remains active and open, no further information.

— Kenosha Police Dept. (@KenoshaPolice) November 18, 2021

Schroeder called the incident an “extremely serious matter” and barred any journalists from MSNBC from attending the ongoing trial.

“I have instructed that no one from MSNBC News will be permitted in this building for the duration of this trial. This is a very serious matter,” Schroeder said.

Judge Bruce Schroeder, left, and Kyle Rittenhouse, centre, during the trial. (Photo by Sean Krajacic-Pool/Getty Images)

A rep for NBC News confirmed that a freelancer for the news organisation received a traffic violation, but denied that the individual was trying to get in contact with the jurors.

“While the traffic violation took place near the jury van, the freelancer never contacted or intended to contact the jurors during deliberations, and never photographed or intended to photograph them,” an NBC spokesman said.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission