Kyle Rittenhouse

Kenosha County Sheriff Hands Out Coffee, Cookies ‘For Peace' Outside Courthouse

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Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth was seen handing out cookies and coffee "for peace" outside the Wisconsin county's courthouse as jurors continue deliberations in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Thursday.

"The goal is to show everybody we're on the same page," he told NBC 5. "People are going to be voicing their opinion but we're here to do it together, we're here to do it hopefully peacefully."

Beth said he had done something similar during previous events and found it helped keep tensions down.

Two people were taken into custody Wednesday on the courthouse steps as the jury panel moved closer to a verdict in Kyle Rittenhouse's murder trial, according to authorities.

Officers arrested a 20-year-old man for battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, police said. A 34-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly conduct.

Officials said law enforcement deployed several officers to "keep crowds of citizens and media from interfering" during the arrests.

"The Kenosha Police Department and the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department fully recognize the importance of media coverage surrounding the trial. The media and the public have a responsibility to give space to law enforcement and allow them to perform their duties. Please do so," Kenosha police said in a statement.

The police department tweeted Wednesday afternoon that officials were aware of attempts to spread disinformation on social media surrounding the trial and that there is "no credible threat to public safety" at this time.

NBC Chicago/Associated Press
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