Man Who Shot First On Night of Rittenhouse Shootings Has All Riot-Related Charges Dismissed In Generous Plea Deal

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Josh Ziminski in Court Today
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Joshua Ziminski is the man who shot his pistol in the air during the Kenosha riots, moments before Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum. He also allegedly lit at least one fire on August 25, 2020 and obstructed a police investigation. Kenosha Police asked the Kenosha DA, Michael Graveley (D), to charge Ziminski with (1) Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, (2) Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, (3) Disorderly Conduct, (4) Bail-Jumping, and (5) Arson. Graveley’s office charged Ziminski with only one count of misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct. Only after community outrage, did the office add felony arson to the charges.

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On August 26, 2022, while out on bail for the riot-related crimes, Ziminski and his wife burglarized and robbed a man at knifepoint, took him around the city to ATM’s with the intent to steal the man’s money. He was charged with 6 felonies and one misdemeanor. He faced many decades in prison.

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Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney T. Clair Binger Today in Court
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Today, Kenosha County Prosecutor T. Clair Binger dismissed all of the criminal charges from August 25, 2020. He made a plea deal with Ziminski that included both of these felony files. Today in court, Ziminski plead guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of armed burglary. Dismissed, but read in were the following charges:

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Felony Arson
Felony Intimidation of a Victim
Felony False Imprisonment
Felony Unauthorized Use of an Individual’s Personal Identifying Information or Documents
Felony Bail Jumping
Felony Arson
Disorderly Conduct – Use of a Dangerous Weapon
Battery
Obstructing an Officer

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T. Clair Binger will recommend, as part of the deal, that Ziminski only spends five years behind bars, followed by five years of extended supervision.

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Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder Today in Court
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder accepted Ziminski’s two guilty pleas and dismissed the remainder of the charges. Although Schroeder accepted the plea, he is not bound by the prosecutor’s recommendation. He can sentence Ziminski to up to 20 years in prison. Schroeder then revoked Ziminski’s bail.

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Jacqueline Ziminski (Josh’s Mother) (Right)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Mr. Ziminski’s mother, who was mocking the judge during the proceedings and had to be warned several times by a deputy not to talk to Josh, was present in court today. She posted the $13,000 bail for her son months ago.

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Ziminski will be sentenced on July 13, 2023.

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Kelly Ziminski in Court Today
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Also in court today was Josh’s wife Kelly. She received a similar plea deal and T. Clair will recommend three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.

She will be sentenced on July 13, 2023 also, and had her bail revoked.

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23 Responses

  1. Let’s be honest, though……regardless of what Binger’s recommendation is….Schroeder isn’t a pussy (thank goodness) and is going to sentence this fuck to a LONG TIME IN PRISON. Bet you he gets at least double what the recommendation is.

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    1. Does Schroeder even know he is a judge? The guy needs to retire, he’s one stroke away from a full vegetative state

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    2. I hope he does. He knows about his connection to the Rittenhouse case. Give him at least 10 years.

    3. Bad thing about all that is that he jumped bail and robbed a guy and tried to take him to area ATMs to steal his money. Thankfully the dumbfuck won’t be back on the streets anytime soon. His mom just wasted $13,000 bailing the idiot out. Money well spent!!! Not!

  2. Let’s pray that Judge Schroeder gives this POS the full 20 years that he deserves!! He and his wife are white trash and don’t deserve any plea deals with the rap sheets that they both have!!

    How rude too of his mother mocking the Judge! That in itself, shows why he has a disregard for the law!! I would have put her @$$ in jail too!!

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  3. In the interest of Justice for the people, the office of Marxist DA Michael Graveley does not serve the people. To the mother, the Road Apple doesn’t fall far from the arse that begat it.

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    1. Michael Gravely is as corrupt as they come. Look at the response to the Rittenhouse case, the railroading of Zachariah Anderson, and now this.

      Kenosha can do better and elect someone else

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  4. I believe Kenosha DA Michael Graveley and Kenosha County ADA T. Clair Binger owe a full explanation for the absolutely appalling plea deal given to Joshua Ziminski. There just has to be some kind of “strategy” behind the decision to gift Ziminski such an incredible plea. ??? Without a doubt, I believe our County DA Michael Gravely owes the people he is meant to serve an explanation for such atrocious decision making. How is such a plea deal, so sugary sweet, meant to protect the citizens of the county you work to protect, Mr. DA Michael Graveley?

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    1. Because scumbags like Ziminsky and Grosskreutz vote the right way. Oh wait, they can’t even vote, since they’re convicted felons. Why the fuck are they covering for these pricks?

  5. Binger is probably afraid of loosing another trial….well, not afraid. He could give 2 shits ….he’s got a steady paycheck.
    Internationally known as the lying, inept, pointing a gun at jurors , goofy as fuck looking , only prosecutor who would take the innocent Rittenhouse trial.
    He failed and lied and cheated, with a smile on his face, during the trial .

    Looks like a rat , literally.

  6. Amazing that nobody has been held for the mayhem in Kenosha. Why wasn’t Grosskreutz charged with carrying an illegal concealed weapon? Or lying to police? Or perjury? Why weren’t those indian used car salesman charged for perjury?
    They sure wasted no time going after Kyle and Dominick Black. But when it comes to scum destroying the city, Binger drops the charges. Pathetic.





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    1. KPD extradited the rioters who set the Probation & Parole office on fire. They physically picked them up in Minneapolis and brought them to Kenosha County Jail and recommended charges to DA Gravely. Gravely DENIED PROSECUTION and had them released. I’d love an explanation on that publicly.

  7. Is Kim Motley defending Ziminski too? She seems to have a thing for the antifa/rioter type of clients. She’s a POS grifter and I hope somebody sues her. Can’t stand that b!tch.

  8. Ziminsky’s classless mother is the reason we have people like her kid doing what they do. Her complete failure as a mother is a drag on the entire community.

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