Capital murder conviction
A Texas jury rejects Routh’s insanity plea finding him guilty of capital murder in the deaths of Kyle and Littlefield. Judge Jason Cashon sentences Routh to life in prison without possiblity for parole. Littlefield’s mother, Judy Littlefield:
We’ve waited two years for God to get justice for us on behalf of our son and, as always, God has proved to be faithful. We’re so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight.
Testimony regarding motive
The testimony revolves around possible motive for the shooting deaths of Kyle and Littlefield in Routh’s trial. Gene Cole, a former deputy in Erath County, present at Routh’s arrest:
I heard Mr. Routh say, ‘I shot them because they wouldn’t talk to me. I was just riding in the back seat of the truck and nobody would talk to me. They were just taking me to the range, so I shot them. I feel bad about it, but they wouldn’t talk to me. I’m sure they’ve forgiven me.
Insanity plea
Routh pleads not guilty by reason of insanity in his trial for the shooting deaths of Kyle and Littlefield. Routh’s lawyer:
He thought in his mind, at that point in time, that it was either him or them, that he had to take their lives because, in his psychosis, he was thinking they were going to take his. You will find that at the time of this tragic event, this tragic occurrence, that Eddie Routh was insane.
Wins defamation suit
Ventura wins over $1.8 million in damages. The lawsuit began when author Chris Kyle claimed to have punched out Ventura in a bar over criticisms of Navy SEAL involvement in Iraq. After Kyle dies in 2013 Ventura continued his lawsuit against the author’s estate.
I can’t go to UDT-SEAL reunions anymore because that was the place I always felt safe, and who will be next to throw me under the bus? I’d have to spend my time looking over my shoulder.
Killed at shooting range
Kyle is killed by Routh on a Texas gun range. Routh reportedly suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant:
Apparently Mr. Kyle works with people that are suffering from some issues that have been in the military and this shooter is possibly one of those people, that he had taken out to the range to mentor, to visit with, to help him, you know, that’s all I can tell you. Kind of have an idea that maybe that’s why they were at the range, for some type of therapy that Mr. Kyle assists people with, and I don’t know if it’s called shooting therapy. I don’t have any idea but that’s what little bit of information that we can gather so far.