military history” with 160 confirmed kills. Kyle has been referred to as the “most lethal sniper in U.S.
EDDIE RAY ROUTH POST TRAMATIC STRESS TRIAL
Opening arguments begin February 11, 2015.Ĭhris Kyle, 38: Former Navy SEAL sniper whose memoir was made into the blockbuster film “American Sniper” that is still currently in theaters as the trial for his alleged begins. The jury is comprised of ten women and two men, two alternates, one man and one woman. The judge has denied the defense’s requests for a change of venue, admonishing the jury to “stay away from” media reports on the trial. They will be charged with the difficult task of trying to explain to a jury how post-traumatic stress disorder can negate criminal intent to a group of people who likely consider Kyle a hometown hero. The enormous popularity of the blockbuster film and the New York Times bestselling book “American Sniper,” celebrating former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, may be an insurmountable hurdle for defense attorneys. Jury neutrality is among the big issues facing the defense in this case. If convicted, he will be sentenced with life without parole. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in this case, possibly because of the mental health issues surrounding Routh. Routh served in the Marines as a small arms repairman and technician in Iraq, and then in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Kyle often worked with wounded veterans and believed that bringing them to the range could have a therapeutic, relaxing effect on people who have seen combat. In fact, evidence may be presented the Kyle and Littlefield took Routh to the shooting range that day in an attempt to help him work through post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from Routh’s military service. They will almost certainly address the issue of military-related post-traumatic stress disorder and the violence associated with that syndrome.
The defense, meanwhile, is tasked with arguing an insanity defense for Routh, who they will allege was in and out of psychiatric facilities for the five months prior to the shooting of Kyle and Littlefield, and who was threatening suicide both before and after the killings. The prosecution will almost certainly introduce into evidence a 911 call from Routh’s sister, who says that Routh confessed the killings to her in a frantic, “psychotic” phone call. Routh allegedly shot both Kyle and Littlefield to death at the range before driving off in Kyle’s pickup truck. The prosecution will argue that Kyle and Littlefield took Routh to the Rough Creek Lodge and resort, an upscale shooting range outside of Stephenville, Texas.
EDDIE RAY ROUTH POST TRAMATIC STRESS MOVIE
Routh is charged with killing Kyle and Chad Littlefield at a shooting range in Erath County, a rural area some 100 miles southwest of Dallas, where members of the military and veterans are hometown heroes, perhaps none more so than Chris Kyle, whose memorial was held at the 40-yard-line of Cowboys Stadium, whose book is a New York Times bestseller and who inspired a Clint Eastwood movie that was nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. The movie “American Sniper,” about former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, is playing three miles away from the courthouse where Eddie Ray Routh, the man who stands accused of killing Kyle, will be on trial.
Routh’s attorneys have filed a notice of intent to pursue an insanity defense.
Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty if convicted, but have asked that he be given life without the possibility of parole. Kyle and Littlefield were, in fact, trying to help Routh as part of the charitable work they undertook to help wounded warriors transition into civilian life when Routh allegedly shot and killed both men.Įddie Ray Routh is charged with one count of capital murder and two charges of murder. Routh is expected to raise an insanity defense, claiming that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following his military service with the Marines. In Texas, where service members are the ultimate hometown heroes and nearly everyone knows someone who returned from war with trauma, the issues in this case will hit very close to home. Eddie Ray Routh is charged with the homicide of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL who inspired the Oscar-nominated film, and Chad Littlefield, at a shooting range in rural Texas. In a case where movie magic collides with the harsh realities veterans face when they return from war zones, a Texas veteran stands accused of murdering the “American Sniper” depicted in the hit film and New York Times bestselling memoir.
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