California attorney John Pierce says he had planned to step aside all along.
Pierce announced late last week he is leaving the defense team for accused Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse.
Pierce says his goal was to raise enough money to bail the 17-year-old out of jail and establish a criminal defense team based in Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse is free on a $2 million bail.
The Illinois teenager is charged with six felonies, including intentional homicide and reckless homicide.
Pierce says he is confident the defense will prove Rittenhouse acted in self-defense.
Rittenhouse is expected to enter a plea of not guilty during his next court appearance in January.
