The name Eddie Ray Routh is inextricably linked to a tragic and high-profile case: the cold blooded killing of Chris Kyle, the U. S. Marine Corps’s deadlest sniper and his fellow veteran, Chad Littlefield. This article focuses on the story of Eddie Ray Routh the events that precluded the murders the trial and the aftermath of this crime.
Who is Eddy Ray Roath?
Early Life and Background
Eddie Ray Routh is a murderer and was born on 30th September, 1987 in Lancaster, Texas. Delisted player: he was raised in a fairly typical home; according to those who knew him during his development years, he was shy and withdrawn. Routh after dropping out of high school joined the marine corp, where he worked in the armory as a repair man quartermaster maintaining armaments. During his term, the president saddled him with a trip to Iraq and a humanitarian operation in Haiti.
Battling mental health issues or not: Military service
Routh affording his military service that made him to develop severe mental health problems. This was followed by PTSD and schizophrenia diagnosis, which affected his mental health status. The subject compensated his mental problems with alcohol and marijuana because he had easy access to those substances. Routh continued to have worsening mental health even after accessing treatment from a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital.
Events that Led to the Tragedy
Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield: An Overview
Chris Kyle, a Navy SEALs sniper aka American Sniper, had left his service and was working with fellow soldier to help them come to grips with life after combat. Gabi and his friend Chad Littlefield went with ex-servicemen with post-traumatic stress disorder to shooting grounds for therapy and company. Jodi Routh, likewise, asked Kyle to help her son, thinking that having someone with a background in SEALs would be able to help her son.
The Day of the Murders
Lamar County sheriff, Referred to as Defendant on march 5, 2013, Referred to as Defendant Kyle, Chad Littlefield hired Eddie Ray Routh for the shooting spree incident on February 2, 2013 during the visit to the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort shooting range in Erath County, Texas. The attempt was made so that Routh would have an outlet to freely speak and to find release and comfort in the activity of shooting. But then whatever hope I had for the day vanished. Within a few minutes of arriving at the range, Routh fired fatal shots in the head and chest regions of Kyle and Littlefield. He then escaped in Kyle’s truck after the duo had successfully held the crowd at bay.
The Investigation and Arrest
The Immediate Aftermath
After killing the patients, Routh left for his sister’s house in Midlothian, Texas where he admitted to the murders. His sister got worried and decided to call the police because she felt that she could be in danger too. The police officers were not slow to act and within a short span of time tracked down Routh and began a chase covering top speeds. Routh was finally captured and would be restrained without more trouble.
The Investigation Process
Situating the longitudinal design and the specifications of the interview assessment in the context of the case investigation, it emerged that the subject depicted a highly disturbed person. This, coupled with the interviews I had conducted with the family and friends of the patient provided me with a picture of a man with serious mental illness and the after effects of his military experience. The weapon used to kill Louise, a Big . weapon, a .45-caliber pistol was found, and ballistics as well as fingerprints proved that Routh was a participant in the shooting.
Eddie Ray Routh: Court-Martial Civil Actions and Department
Application and Defense Plan
Eddie Ray Routh is currently facing two charges of capital murder. The defense termed that he was mentally ill when carrying out the killings having been diagnosed of PTSD and Schizophrenic disorder and having background mental disorder. They had argued that Routh was unable to reign in their evil actions because of his mental health.
Prosecution’s Argument
The prosecution argued that Routh could not claim he was insane when engaging in the actions, as he perfectly understood what he was doing. Citing this line of evidence, they were able to disprove the act of provocation and find that Routh had premeditated the murder of Kyle and Littlefield. The prosecution also asserted that Routh’s mental state was inadmissible at the time that he planned and committed the murders. Verdict and Sentencing Presenting his defense on February 24, 2015, in the sequel to a two-week trial, a jury took three hours to deliberate before returning a guilty verdict on charges of capital murder. He was convicted and given a mandatory life sentence without an occupancy permit on earth. The jury verdict was seen as satisfactory by the families of both Chris Kyle, and Chad Littlefield even though they still grieve for their beloved ones.
The Aftermath and Impact
Contribution to the Families and Communities
The killings of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield became a violent thunder for both families and for the society. The ideal vision of Kyle who was depicted as a war hero who fought for veterans and community also contributed to the series was honored while the sad demise of Littlefield, a loving father, and friend was calamitous. And both families have endeavored to perpetuate the memory of their beloved dead by establishing foundations and donating money for different kinds of purposes, and erecting monuments.
Further implications for mental health of veterans
The case raised some questions of concern with regards to how mental health disorders among the veterans are managed. It highlighted the need for better and more effective mental health for veterans especially the combat veterans with PTSD and other related disorders. Such cases have raised concerns on how the VA has handles issues in the past and has led to lobbying for more changes and reforms on the support structures.
Legacy and Continuing Influence
The story of Chris Kyle is remembered and can inspire a lot of people nowadays. He was a U.S. Navy SEAL who claimed to have killed 150 to 180 Iraqi people; his autobiography of “American Sniper” became a bestseller and was the subject of an Eastwood film. The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation which was created by Taya Kyle is to help military and first responders families as Kyle sought to help others from his life.
Conclusion
The murder of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield by a fellow veteran, Eddie Ray Routh, is one that reminds society of the issues facing many veterans after their time serving their country in war. Thus, although justice for the family of the victim was achieved by Routh’s conviction, the problems of care for veterans and the need for adequate treatment for mental disorders were revealed as widespread and still require attention and further development. Kyle and Littlefield’s biographies are proof, to this day, of devotion and dedication to service, presumably signaling that their lives remain relevant.
