Routh.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
There is a real-life drama behind "American Sniper," one of Hollywood's biggest movies in 2014 that has hit theaters on Dec. 25, Thursday. While the movie is at its peak of stardom, the drama behind it has been a long tale of pending murder trial and lawsuits for the man pointed out as the killer of the movie's protagonist.
In February, Iraq's War veteran Eddie Ray Routh will face trial for the charge of murdering the "American Sniper" hero Chris Kyle.
Kyle is a former United States Navy Seal, who has been made the basis of Clint Eastwood's movie starring Bradley Cooper and has been named the most lethal sniper in history of the U.S. army.
Routh's court attorney Warren St. John told Reuters that they are not eyeing Routh for the death penalty but lifetime imprisonment if convicted.
"This guy isn't evil," St. John said just to hamper defense probable argument that Routh is not in a sane state.
Apparently, Kyle interpreted Routh's behavior as a troubled veteran who was in a deep need of assistance.
With friend Chad Littlefield, Kyle took Routh for a shooting recreation on Dec. 2, 2013. In an unfortunate event, Routh then is accused of shooting Littlefield and Kyle to death and ran away with Kyle's truck.
On the same day, Routh was apprehended and charged with murder with a $3 million bond at the Erath County Jail. According to his family, Routh has been in a mental institution for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chris Kyle has been credited for 150 kills in Afghanistan and Iraq, an unparalleled record which earned him the merit of being the most deadly Navy sniper in history.
