Jury selection underway in Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Rittenhouse stands accused of murdering two people and injuring a third during the anti-racism protests that erupted following the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake. 

According to the Associated Press, widespread media coverage of the shooting is expected to make jury selection more difficult, as attorneys attempt to sift through a jury pool of nearly 200 people in hopes of finding jurors who haven't already made up their minds about the case. 

Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder warned potential jurors that this wasn't a "political trial" and to try and set aside their biases. 

"It was mentioned by both political campaigns and the presidential campaign last year, in some instances very, very imprudently," Schroeder said during the opening statements of jury selection.

By the time the court recessed for lunch, over two dozen prospective jurors had already been dismissed, mostly for already having opinions about the case.

At least 20 people are expected to be selected for the panel — 12 jurors, with eight alternates. 

According to Reuters, Prosecutors are expected to argue that Rittenhouse went to the protests with the intention of seeking conflict, while defense attorneys are expected to mount a self-defense claim.

If convicted of the most serious charge of first-degree murder, Rittenhouse could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.