We heard some bizarre testimony from the “American Sniper” murder trial last week, and today, both the prosecution and defense made their closing statements. Again, to be found not guilty by reason of insanity, the prosecution would have to prove that accused shooter Eddie Ray Routh was unaware that what he did was wrong.
Up first was prosecuting attorney Jane Starnes.
Starnes:"We're here to blame & hold accountable the man that put 12 or 13 bullets in those two men…We're not here to fix the VA system."
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
"This is not a whodunit case," Starnes says. Routh shot ea man 6-7x "That was deliberate. That was calculated. That was cold." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
"We know that Chad's death was not quick," Starnes says. "We know that Chad was on his hands and knees bleeding." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
As Chad Littlefield lay dying, Routh shot him in the face "not to prevent him from getting up, but to finish him off." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Starnes says Routh took #ChrisKyle 's Navy gun as a trophy. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Starnes says cannabis-induced psychosis isn't "reefer madness." Routh was a heavy, regular pot smoker w/ mood disorder. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Starnes: "You reasonable ppl of Erath Co know that that story of hybrid pigmen and pig assassins is a load of hogwash." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Routh is obviously a little odd, Starnes says. "He's a weird weird guy," she said, but he still knew what he did was wrong. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
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Starnes says Routh buying Taco Bell burritos after killing Kyle, Littlefield shows he had the "munchies," wasn't delusional. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Starnes reminding jurors about Routh leading police on a high-speed chase after killing Kyle, Littlefield. "He knew what he did was wrong."
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Starnes says "Crazy don't run." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
"That is not insanity. That is just cold, calculate capital murder," Starnes says. "He was not, by any means, insane." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Next up, defense attorneys Tim Moore, R. Shay Isham and J. Warren St. John.
Moore says Routh was likely no longer high by the time he got to gun range with Kyle, Littlefield. Psychosis not caused by drugs, he says.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Moore says investigators collected every shell casing from scene but didn't get blood sample from Routh to determine intox. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Isham says Routh was starting to show signs of schizophrenia as early as July 2011, when he was first admitted to VA hospital. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Isham: "Everybody that knew Eddie said that marijuana calmed Eddie down and helped him relax," didn't make him lash out. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Isham on day of slayings: "[Routh] hadn't showered for weeks. Take that for what it's worth." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
Defense atty Isham says there was no evidence that Routh smoked "wet" marijuana the day he killed Kyle, Littlefield. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 24, 2015
St. John: "He didn't kill those men because of who he wanted to be. He killed those men because he had a delusion." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 25, 2015
St. John says state pointing to any motive for the killings (jealousy, feeling rejected) bc they know Routh is mentally ill. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 25, 2015
St. John: “The Eddie you saw on Feb. 2, 2013, is not the same Eddie you see over there, bc why? Bc he’s taking his medicine.” #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 25, 2015
Closing arguments in #AmericanSniper case have ended. Jury now being given the case. #ChrisKyle
— Steve Futterman (@sfutterman) February 25, 2015
Jury gets the case in the #AmericanSniper trial at 6.36 ct. #ChrisKyle
— Steve Futterman (@sfutterman) February 25, 2015
Final words heard by jury in closing arguments – by prosecution in #AmericanSniper – "This defendant gunned down two men…find him guilty"
— Steve Futterman (@sfutterman) February 25, 2015
* * *
Kyle’s widow, Taya, reportedly left the courtroom as the final arguments were made.
#ChrisKyle wife left court & slammed door on way out during defense final arguments. @CBSDFW #snipertrial #AmericanSniper
— Joel Thomas (@CBS11Joel) February 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/MrsBagley/status/570382982885740544
@CBS11Joel @CBSDFW God bless #TayaKyle
— Sara Meek (@MsSaraSez) February 25, 2015
@CBS11Joel @CBSDFW bless her heart! She has been so strong but there's only so much one can take 🙁
— Amy Williams (@Amy_nWilliams) February 25, 2015
@CBS11Joel @CBSDFW She's so brave for enduring all of this. Soon things will conclude and praying she can process the outcome in peace.
— Autumn Marie (@AutumnMWill) February 25, 2015
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