TULSA, Okla. — Friday, a jury found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all five felony charges after four days of deliberations.
The 18-year-old was on trial for killing two people and injuring another during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year.
His defense argued he shot all three people in self-defense.
FOX23 wanted to find out if this defense would hold up the same way in Oklahoma.
Marshall Luton has 26 years’ experience as a law enforcement officer and he is a professional weapons instructor for the Defensive Shooting Academy. He says self-defense was clear from the beginning.
“I was so thankful that is what it was. He was innocent in all counts. It was absolutely 100 percent self-defense,” Luton said.
He said that he believes every gun owner should be trained and pay attention to the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
“I hope this trial helps people understand that if you own a firearm it is a humongous responsibility. It is huge,” Luton said.
One of the important things he teaches in his class is self-defense. In his eyes Rittenhouse was defending himself.
“He was attacked. He was in fear for his life. He was what we call in imminent danger at that very moment. The guy who got shot in the case was shot because he was pointing a gun at him,” Luton said.
Rittenhouse cried while being read his verdict and nearly collapsed on the table.
“I was kind of shocked they even brought the charges honestly,” said Criminal Defense Attorney Mark Cagle. Cagle says in Oklahoma, it should and would have held up the same way.
“A reasonable person would think you are in danger of great bodily injury or death when that is the case you have the right to use deadly force,” says Cagle.
Luton said that’s what he teaches his students.
“We have a god given right for self-preservation. The constitution backs that up with the second amendment,” Luton said.
He hopes it never comes to that for his students. “Absolutely last resort, but if you have no outs, nowhere to go and no escape, and you have to fight for your life. We teach people how to win,” Luton said.