On Tuesday a jury found Eddie Ray Routh guilty of murdering U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the subject of the popular movie “American Sniper,” and his friend Chad Littlefield. Defense attorneys for Routh had argued that he was not guilty by reason of insanity — claiming he did not know right from wrong when he shot and killed both men. Despite evidence that Routh was suffering from severe mental illness, the jury decided he did not meet the legal definition of “insane,” and sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
RELATED: The “American Sniper” murder trial: Was Chris Kyle’s killer legally insane?
Below, reactions from Avvo legal analyst Lisa Bloom and national media:
"Just because it was a senseless crime doesn’t make a person insane." #SniperTrial prosecutor, closing arg. I discuss @TodayShow 7:30am tmrw
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) February 25, 2015
#SniperTrial prosecutor says murder trial is not about fixing VA, just about deciding if Eddie Ray Routh knew right from wrong. True.
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) February 25, 2015
'American Sniper' trial: jury considers Eddie Ray Routh verdict http://t.co/WALDMa5qlZ
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 25, 2015
‘American Sniper’ killer Eddie Ray Routh found guilty http://t.co/KNsPnTaOv6
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) February 25, 2015
"God has proved faithful" – #AmericanSniper family after #EddieRayRouth guilty of murder http://t.co/yHhdtjb4fy pic.twitter.com/4jgRhqd9tP
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 25, 2015
‘American Sniper’ Trial Jury Finds Ex-Marine Guilty of Murder http://t.co/3P8V44UMvb
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 25, 2015
Chris Kyle’s killer joins 300,000+ mentally ill incarcerated Americans, 10x the # in state hospitals. We’ve mostly given up on treatment.
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) February 25, 2015
Disturbed by the 100,000+ likes on an implicit threat that Eddie Ray Routh will be assaulted in prison. http://t.co/X7QRPkqI2q
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) February 25, 2015
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Avvo.
Photo via Reuters
