The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Suspect’s mental state questioned in ‘Sniper’ trial
Ex-Marine accused of killing Navy SEAL, friend 2 years ago.
STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS — Authorities found marijuana, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey and anti-psychotic medication while searching the home of the former Marine charged with killing “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle and his friend, a Texas Ranger testified Friday.
The testimony was the latest of the evidence presented to jurors this week that has shed light on Eddie Ray Routh’s mental state at the time of the killings two years ago at a rural Texas shooting range.
Texas Ranger David Armstrong said the search of the small woodframed house in Lancaster turned up drug paraphernalia, alcohol and medication prescribed to Routh that the defense says was used to treat schizophrenia. On the refrigerator was a note with Kyle’s name and phone number.
James Watson, 45, Routh’s uncle, testified later that he smoked marijuana with his nephew at Routh’s suburban Dallas home. Watson said he went there after Routh’s girlfriend told him she was concerned about him after a fight they had.
“We talked at length about what was going on with him,” Watson said. Watson said he does not remember drinking whiskey with his nephew that morning, “but that doesn’t mean I didn’t.” He explained that it would not have been unusual for them.
Finally, Routh left to go shooting with Kyle, and Watson said he went home to nap. Routh came back later, awakened Watson and showed him a 9mm handgun and a black pickup truck he was driving.
“I’m driving a dead man’s truck,” Watson recalled Routh telling him. Routh did not explain what he meant by that, Watson said, but Routh had an eccentric way of expressing himself. Watson thought he was referring to himself.
Defense attorneys are mounting an insanity defense for Routh. Prosecu- tors have described the 27-year-old as a troubled drug user who used marijuana and whiskey the day of the killings, but say he knew right from wrong despite any history of mental illness.
If convicted, Routh faces life in prison without parole. Prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty.
The case has drawn intense interest, largely because of the Oscar-nominated film based on Kyle’s memoir that details his four tours in Iraq. The film has grossed nearly $300 million.
On Thursday, prosecutors presented a video in which officers spoke with Routh as he sat in the pickup that authorities said he took from Kyle after fleeing the shooting range where Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed. Routh refused to leave the vehicle and eventually sped off with police in pursuit.
At one point during the chase, the video shows that a police vehicle rammed the pickup. Eventually the car became disabled along the side of the road.
The video showed officers trying to talk Routh into surrendering as he makes comments such as, “Anarchy has been killing the world,” “I don’t know if I’m going insane,” and, “Is this about hell walking on earth right now?”
Authorities say Routh had earlier driven to his sister’s house, admitted to the killings and told his sister, “People were sucking his soul.”
Lancaster police Lt. Michael Smith said Thursday that Routh “told us he’d taken a couple of souls and he had more souls to take.”