News Digest

'You took the lives of two heroes': Routh found guilty in 'American Sniper' trial

Eddie Ray Routh has been found guilty of murdering American Sniper author Chris Kyle and another man at a Texas shooting range. Jurors returned the verdict against the former Marine, whose lawyers had mounted an insanity defence and argued he suffered from psychosis. The 27-year-old was given an automatic life sentence without parole at a court in Stephenville, Texas, for the deaths of the Navy SEAL and his friend Chad Littlefield.

You took the lives of two heroes, men that tried to be a friend to you. You became an American disgrace.

Mr Littlefield’s brother-in-law Jerry Richardson

They had taken Routh out shooting at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort on 2 February 2013 after the defendant’s mother asked Kyle to help him. Kyle helped counsel troubled veterans with trips for shooting and talks. Family members say Routh suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. A forensics expert said both men were shot in the back at close range and were hit by 12 or 13 bullets. The trial has drawn huge interest because of the blockbuster Oscar-nominated film based on the former Navy SEAL’s memoir about his four tours in Iraq. Kyle is credited with the most confirmed kills of any U.S.military sniper.

I had to take care of business. I took care of business, and then I got in the truck and left.

Routh speaking to a reporter from The New Yorker magazine after the shooting