Eddie Routh Says He Knew Killing Chris Kyle Was ‘Wrong’ in Taped Confession
The defense of Eddie Routh in the so-called “American Sniper trial” hinges on the ability of his attorneys to convince a jury he did not know it was “wrong” to shoot and kill former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and friend Chad Littlefield at a gun range in 2013. But a confession video shown to jurors on Monday may complicate that strategy.
After opening arguments, the judge in the case has no longer allowed TV cameras in the courtroom, but reporters have been following the case closely. In particular, The Dallas Morning News’ Tasha Tsiaperas has been meticulously live-tweeting the proceedings. Here are some of her observations regarding the confession Routh gave to Texas Ranger Danny Briley:
Briley to Routh: "I know you had a tough day. I'd like to talk to you." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Routh can be seen yawning in the taped interview. It's about 11:30 the night of the killings. #snipertrial pic.twitter.com/NhpYg5v1W5
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Routh: Met Kyle and Littlefield that day. “I imagine they’re headhunters, trying to hunt everybody down.”
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Routh: “I’ve got tons of people eating on my soul right now.” Says the world is a "soulless place." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Routh said he shot "the one he could clearly identify" first. "If I did not take down his soul, he was going to take down mine."
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Briley: After you killed them, what did you do next?
Routh: Fled. I didn't know what else to do. My adrenaline was going. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Briley asks Routh if he knew it was wrong to kill the men. Routh resonds, "Right." Routh asks Briley if he should've stayed. He says yes.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Routh: "I'm just sorry for what I've done."
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
"I would tell them I'm so sorry for what I've done," Routh says after Briley asks what he would say to the families.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
Briley asks Routh if he knows the difference between wrong and right. Routh responds: "Yes sir." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 16, 2015
According to Tsiaperas’ reporting, Routh’s attorney Tim Moore cross-examined Briley about the tape after it played, and seemed to be “trying to poke holes” in the defendant’s confession.
A guilty verdict for murder or a not-guilty verdict by reason of insanity will determine whether Routh is sentenced to life in prison without parole or life in a state mental institution. Prosecutors, who are expected to rest their case as early as tomorrow, are reportedly not seeking the death penalty.
[h/t TheBlaze]
[Photo via screengrab]
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