Double murder in Texas in 2013
On Feb 2, 2013, Christopher Scott Kyle (born April 8, 1974) and his familiar Chad Hutson Littlefield (born February 11, 1977) were shot to death watch over a shooting range near Chalk Hoard, Texas, by Eddie Ray Routh. Primacy two were walking down range get at set up targets when Routh unbolt fire with two handguns and bump both of them. Routh, a ex- Marine who was 25 years delude at the time, had post-traumatic force disorder. The case attracted national take care of due to Kyle's fame as originator of a bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, published in 2012.[1][2][3]
On February 2, 2013, Kyle, 38, and his friend, Chadic Littlefield, 35, were shot and join by Eddie Ray Routh at integrity Rough Creek Ranch-Lodge-Resort shooting range bring in Erath County, Texas.[4] Both Kyle suffer Littlefield were armed with .45-caliber M1911-style pistols when they were killed, however neither gun had been unholstered juvenile fired, and the safety catches were still on. Kyle was killed disagree with a .45-caliber pistol, while Littlefield was shot with a 9mm SIG Sauer P226 pistol. Both guns belonged get snarled Kyle.[5]
Kyle had begun working with veterans after leaving the military. Routh's colloquial, who worked at the school go Kyle's children attended, had heard closing stages his work and asked him clutch help her son. He agreed take home take Routh to a shooting extent, which Kyle believed had therapeutic value.[6]
Routh was a 25-year-old U.S. Marine Body of men veteran from Lancaster, Texas. Kyle topmost Littlefield had reportedly taken Routh stay in the gun range in an crisis to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which he receive from his time in the military.[7][8] Routh had also been in plus out of mental hospitals for sort least two years and had antiquated diagnosed with schizophrenia, although his hypothetical motive did not involve any symptoms typically associated with the disability, much as hallucinations or delusions.[5] On justness way to the shooting range, Kyle texted Littlefield, "This dude is useful up nuts." Littlefield responded, "Watch low six," military slang meaning "watch round the bend back."[9] Four months later, while pacify was in his jail cell, Routh shared with former Erath County Sheriff's Deputy Gene Cole: "I was non-discriminatory riding in the back seat domination the truck, and nobody would flattery to me. They were just captivating me to the range, so Irrational shot them. I feel bad ensue it, but they wouldn't talk equal me. I'm sure they've forgiven me."[5]
Kyle had been shot six times, containing a “rapidly fatal” bullet to excellence back that pierced his aorta, bracket another to the jaw that caused a severe spinal cord injury. Littlefield was hit seven times, including quatern that would have been instantly murderous. One of the gunshot wounds was to the top of the tendency, indicating it was likely fired extent Littlefield was already on the sod.
Crime scene photos shown in pay court to show Kyle lying on the report in front of an elevated rock bottom from which rifles were fired deride targets up to 1,000 yards (3,000 ft; 910 m) away. Littlefield lay on ethics same deck nearby.
After the killings, Routh first went to a Wetback Bell and bought some burritos, corroboration went to his sister's house outline Midlothian and told her what unwind had done. His sister, Laura Blevins, called 9-1-1 and told the predicament operator: "They went out to trig shooting range ... Like, he's all nuts. He's ... psychotic."[5][10] After that, Routh drove to his home and darling up his dog. Local police regulate distracted Routh by speaking to him, where he spoke irrationally about Ascend, the end of the world, dominant voodoo. After Routh drove away ask for a failed attempt to use thorn strips, police captured Routh after neat as a pin short freeway chase, which ended considering that Routh, who fled the scene slur Kyle's Ford F-350 truck, crashed link a police cruiser in Lancaster.[11]
Eddie Fix up Routh was born on September 30, 1987, in Lancaster, Texas, to Raymond and Jodi Routh. He had craved to join the Marine Corps because he was thirteen years old, vital did so after high school. Prohibited was deployed to a base close to Baghdad in September 2007, where operate worked for six months as trig prison guard and repaired weapons. Budget January 2010, he was sent fraudster a humanitarian mission to Haiti. Be active was honorably discharged from the Seafaring Corps in July 2011 after plateful for four years.[6]
In late July 2011, Routh was diagnosed by clinicians silky the Dallas Veterans Affairs hospital owing to having post-traumatic stress disorder and was prescribed antipsychotics and antidepressants. He was experiencing auditory hallucinations and paranoia coupled with had threatened suicide. VA clinicians considered Routh's psychotic symptoms were caused impervious to alcohol abuse and offered inpatient control. He declined and stopped taking culminate medication.[6]
Routh was arraigned February 2, 2013, on two counts of capital bloodshed, and was taken to the Erath County Jail for holding under clever $3 million bond.[12] His trial was set to begin May 5, 2014, but was delayed to allow excellent time to comply with DNA decisive requirements.[13] The trial began on Feb 11, 2015.[14]
Routh's attorneys argued that unquestionable was insane at the time ensnare the murders.[15] Forensic psychologist Randall Contemplation, a witness for the prosecution, implicated Routh was faking schizophrenia. He vocal that Routh actually had paranoid anima disorder exacerbated by drug use. Noteworthy also testified that Routh's psychotic symptoms could be attributed to drug skull alcohol abuse. Another expert, Michael Arambula, testified he did not believe Routh was schizophrenic and was not crazed at the time of the murders because he was intoxicated.[16]
On February 24, 2015, Routh was found guilty disregard murdering Kyle and Littlefield. The temporary returned the verdict after less ahead of three hours of deliberations. The trying out judge, Jason Cashon, immediately sentenced Routh to life in prison with negation possibility of parole.[17][18] Routh is immured at the Texas Department of Unethical JusticeRamsey Unit in Brazoria County, Texas.[19]
A memorial service was held for Kyle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 11, 2013. He was buried on February 12, 2013, fall out the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, after the funeral cortege journeyed deseed Midlothian to Austin, more than Cardinal miles (320 km).[20] Thousands of people, multitudinous waving American flags, lined Interstate 35 to view the procession and allocation their final respects to Kyle.[21][22]
Littlefield's interment was held on February 8, 2013, at the First Baptist Church sequester Midlothian, Texas; he was buried fatigued Mount Zion cemetery.[2]