Ex-Marine In 'American Sniper' Murder Trial Plans to Appeal Guilty Verdict
Earlier this week, a Texas jury found Eddie Ray Routh guilty of the 2013 murders of Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL and author of the best seller "American Sniper" who inspired the box office hit, and his friend Chad Littlefield.
During his capital murder trial, which began on February 11, Routh’s lawyer, J. Warren St. John, sought to prove the former Marine was insane at the time of the murders. The state rejected the claims. "Ladies and gentlemen, that is not insanity. That is just cold, calculated capital murder. He is guilty of capital murder. He is not in any way insane," Assistant Attorney General Jane Starnes stated during closing arguments.
Jurors deliberating the case had three choices: guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity. It took them less than three hours to deliver their verdict, rejecting the defense's claims, and finding Routh guilty of capital murder.
Judge Jason Cashon immediately sentenced Routh to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
St. John told PEOPLE he planned to appeal this week.
"We are disappointed in the verdict," St. John said. "Mr. Routh is still suffering from schizophrenia. He had a belief in his mind that day. He believed that they were going to kill him. It was a real belief that he had. We're disappointed the jury didn't give that any consideration. They dismissed that."
