Opening Statements in Trial of ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle’s Accused Killer

The opening statements of Eddie Routh's case in the murder of Chris Kyle are today (Feb. 11) in Stephenville, Texas.

A jury of ten women and two men will decide the fate of Routh, the man accused of killing Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield on a gun range on February 2, 2013.

Routh is pleading "not guilty" by reason of insanity. The defense appears to have their work cut out for them after a couple recent reports seem to conflict with his insanity defense.

His attorneys are expected to use post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an excuse for his behavior. However, the Warfighter Foundation has released a statement from Cpl. Ryker Pawloski, who served with Routh, that appears to hinder that theory.

Pawloski told the foundation that they took some enemy fire, but that doesn't qualify as combat action:

We got mortared a couple times — that was the extent of our combat experience.  Routh was never near any incoming. Where he was located on the camp, he was rather safe and cozy.

 

In addition, on CBS This Morning, CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman weighed in on the recent appearance of Routh.

If you see what he looked like at the time of his arrest, he really looks crazy. I mean, he looks like someone who has really had difficulties, What he looks like today is a reasonable person. He looks like someone who has put on a fair amount of weight; he has the glasses; he's communicating with his lawyers. His appearance back then at the time of the crime was of someone who really had a problem.

Klieman believes this could be a problem for the defense, who will try to paint him as someone with deep emotional problems.

There are also photos release by the Warfighter Foundation showing Routh mugging for the camera with his weapon while he was overseas serving.

Regardless, this is expected to be a legal battle. Kyle's wife Taya and Chad Littlefield's mother are expected to take the stand today as the eyes of the nation are on the trial. "American Sniper" is still in theaters and one of the biggest movies in many years.