This past weekend, the Chris Kyle biographical film American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper, had the biggest opening for a film in January, earning over $90 million at the box office. However, the film’s success may complicate the trial of Eddie Ray Routh, the man who allegedly killed Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield at a shooting range southwest of Dallas on February 2, 2013.
Routh, a former Marine, has admitted to killing the two men and is set to stand trial on February 11. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, while Routh’s lawyers plan to argue that Routh was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He will plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
Defense attorney J. Warren St. John told the Hollywood Reporter that the film “is going to be an issue” since it portrays Kyle as an American hero and wondered if there can even be a fair trial now as it will be difficult to find an impartial jury.
Jury selection for the trial will begin February 9, and opening arguments are expected to commence on February 11. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
