Jury finds Eddie Ray Routh guilty in 'American Sniper' case
Source: CNN
A jury has found Eddie Ray Routh guilty of capital murder in the deaths of two men, including Chris Kyle, the author of the bestselling book "American Sniper." He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/24/us/american-sniper-chris-kyle-trial/index.html
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)but not really. I agree he is guilty. But, I also believe he is and was insane. He should be in a treatment facility not jail.
jmowreader
(50,528 posts)Which leads to the obvious question: if you think the guy is "straight-up nuts," why did you not straight-up turn the fuck around and go home instead of going to the range to get your shit blown away?
LisaL
(44,972 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,888 posts)Loki
(3,825 posts)Taking a mentally unstable man to a shooting range because you think that will help this marine with PTSD and possible schizophrenia deal with his issues is the ultimate bad decision that resulted in three men losing their lives. Reminds me of the mother of the Newtown killer giving him a gun because she thought it would give him something to do to make him feel good about himself. Putting mentally ill people around guns ends in tragedy, always.
Nitram
(22,765 posts)And I can't fathom the right wing glee about a life sentence and the desire of many to see him executed. If conservatives hold Kyle up as a hero, and a subject of respect for his suffering from PTSD, why are they so unsympathetic to a Marine who obviously suffered far more damaging mental trauma?
Calista241
(5,586 posts)They live and work with weapons probably like I live and work with a water cooler. Each of them had probably been to that shooting range or a similar facility to shoot guns a couple thousand times, and probably didn't see the same danger you and I might see in a similar circumstance.
Aristus
(66,286 posts)I was in the Army and served as a tank crewman. As such, we were trained in the use of several small arms, including the M16A2, the M1911 semi-auto, and the Beretta 9mm. We went to the range a lot to qualify with the weapons, and maintain proficiency. At no time were we ever allowed to take the deadly potential of these weapons for granted. We observed strict safety standards at all time, and went through the tedious ritual before and after target training of ensuring that all weapons were unloaded and pointing downrange. Every weapon was inspected by the range official before we were allowed to leave, and we were searched, or at least questioned sternly, for any ammunition one might try to smuggle off the range.
If gun-freaks get careless with their guns, it's not the fault of military range-safety officials.
This anecdote is less relevant to the discussion, since it involves weapons not available to the public. But when I began tank training, we had an entire morning of safety briefings before we were even allowed to mount the tank. The gist of the lectures was "this is the most deadly ground combat weapon system ever devised, and it doesn't care who it kills."
And, just in case I sound like a gun apologist myself, please understand: I don't own guns, oppose the private ownership of handguns, and despise the NRA.
As a former tanker whose primary weapon was a 120mm smoothbore tank cannon, I hear guys crowing about their precious handguns and think: "That's so cute..."
jmowreader
(50,528 posts)Combat arms guys draw weapons regularly for training, but they don't get live ammo unless they're doing marksmanship training - if they are training in combat techniques they have a laser tag system (BTW the Army invented laser tag) that lets you practice shooting people without killing them. Paintball guns are also very popular especially in the Special Operations community.
In combat support, we drew our weapon from the arms room for three reasons: once-per-year range qualification, going to the field and walking around with it so we'd be used to carrying it if we were in a war, and cleaning it every three months.
And when you're actually around live ammo the paranoia level rises to beyond insane; you are searched regularly on the range and before you leave. "No Brass No Ammo Sergeant!"
Calista241
(5,586 posts)However, all three of these people were deployed for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and would have been armed at all times while in the combat theater.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)Which was the whole point of him being in a car with the dude in the first place.
jmowreader
(50,528 posts)Or...I don't know, running or mountain biking or skydiving or ANYTHING that didn't involve guns!
Nitram
(22,765 posts)...they drove thee 1.5 hours in silence while texting about how "nuts" the marine was. I suspect the marine picked up on the vibe and became totally paranoid about the two guys who were obviously texting during the drive. doesn't sound like they did much to make the guy feel welcome.
earthside
(6,960 posts)Tragic all the way around.
kacekwl
(7,013 posts)regarding Chris Kyle is "Never Forget" . Yes we should never forget the demons these insane , useless war inflict on those who are sent by criminals to fight on their behalf.
n/t
annm4peace
(6,119 posts)thinking of Veterans and their families everywhere who suffer from mental illness, especially those Veterans who have psychosis..
no justice was served in Texas tonight. Shameful. and heartbreaking.
After the US invaded Afghanistan I joined others protesting the invasion because I knew it was wrong and had worked at a psych hospital when US went to war with Iraq during Desert Storm. We were flooded with Vietnam Vets and then a year later some Desert Storm Vets. some on the psych ward and some on the drug and alcohol unit.
So when we invaded Afghanistan I knew it wasn't warranted and soldier sent there could end up coming back with mental illness and suicides.... but I didn't imagine this.. that a very sick Veteran, who was in psychosis, would be taken to a gun range.
It is sick. They should have taken him to a hospital.. not a gun range.
And then they charge him with murder. sick.
I volunteer with Veterans for Peace and I have family members who are Veterans.. some came back ok, some didn't.. some still suffer.
LisaL
(44,972 posts)annm4peace
(6,119 posts).. how did he plan to kill them?
still_one
(92,061 posts)GGJohn
(9,951 posts)still_one
(92,061 posts)annm4peace
(6,119 posts)Lawrence has a guy on, Brian Wice, who has made some really "good ol boy" comments. Repeatedly calling the victims American Heroes.
This jury is instructed to not leave their common sense at courthouse hallway , and that the prosecute did a great job by telling the jury "It's not about the experts, it is about your own wisdom."
Seriously.?.. how many people know someone who is schizophrenic ?
how many jury members know what is happening to someone who is schizophrenic ? How many jury members have ever visited a psych ward ?
Then Brian Wice went on to say.. ..the people on this jury i'm fairly confident don't follow Michael Moore and Seth Rogen on Twitter".
what the Hell did that mean? So I guess it wasn't a sick Veteran on trial but "Michael Moore and Seth Rogen".
Hulk
(6,699 posts)His movie didn't ring the big bells at the Oscars, so this will have to make them happy.
OldRedneck
(1,397 posts)Okay, the trial is over, the movie was released a couple of weeks ago and everyone who wants to see it has seen it.
Can we now drop the fixation on Chris Kyle, psychopath, and the batshit-crazy clown who killed him and focus on the important shit?
Nitram
(22,765 posts)Kyle has been set up as a poster boy for right wing military jingoism. Just as we can't let O'Reilly get away with making stuff up about his career, we can't let conservatives trumpet a false narrative about the heroism of a liar and a bigot.
sendero
(28,552 posts).... this guy was not going to be found guilty.
In TX, the only standard for insanity that applies here is "were you so crazy you did not know what you did was wrong?".
Not "were you unable to control your impulse at the time you committed this deed?".
Not that it would have mattered, he would have been found guilty either way.
Nitram
(22,765 posts)...about the two buddies who took him to the range and were texting about how nuts he was during the drive instead of talking to him."
Hayabusa
(2,135 posts)There is no way in hell that he received a fair trial. Not to mention parading the widow out on the stand.
maggies farm
(79 posts)Who approved gun range therapy for PTSD vets? There is an old saying live by the sword die by the sword. Perhaps some brown skinned mother or father half way around the world will find some semblance of closure in this.
Meanwhile, allow vets to have pot and guided therapy with MDMA.
GGJohn
(9,951 posts)Nitram
(22,765 posts)They were just extremely ill-equipped to handle a paranoid marine with PTSD. And then they put a gun in his hands.
maggies farm
(79 posts)Sorry. Live by the sword die by the sword - simple enough.
I am not being mean nor wishing ill upon another. But this entire country will face a day of reckoning. And I ain't talking religion if that is where your mind takes you.
Now the question to ask is how to take negative karma and heal and repair the circumstance in order to transform it.
herding cats
(19,558 posts)I'm expecting this verdict will be overturned in appellate courts.