Jacob Blake made his first court appearance for the criminal complaint that led to his confrontation with police on Aug. 23 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Blake appeared via a Zoom call from his hospital bed on Friday.
He has been accused of criminal trespass, sexual assault, and disorderly conduct based on statements from his former girlfriend. Blake has pleaded not guilty.
Police were responding to a domestic abuse report when the encounter with Blake began. Blake was shot seven times in the back as he was trying to get into a car in which three children were present. What is in dispute is about whether Blake had a knife in his possession at the time of the shooting.
Blake was left paralyzed by the shots.
Demonstrations in the city over the shooting have been widespread and have turned violent. Businesses have been burned down. Days ago, two people on the streets of Kenosha were shot and killed.
A pre-trial conference has been set for Oct. 21 in Blake’s case, and the jury is scheduled to be selected on Nov. 9.
