texas

Juror Screening Starts in Chris Kyle Slaying Trial

Jury selection is underway in the trial of the man accused of killing famed Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" subject Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend Chad Littlefield two years ago.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life in prison without parole for defendant Eddie Ray Routh, a former U.S. Marine.

A total of 400 summons were sent out asking potential jurors to show up to court Thursday morning and afternoon. In the morning session, 84 potential jurors showed up, 17 were either excused, exempt or disqualified and in the afternoon session, 105 potential jurors showed up, 22 were excused, exempt or disqualified. 150 potential jurors will return to court Monday from Thursday's pool.

Several excused jurors spoke with reporters.

Mark Marett was excused because of scheduled medical treatment but said he would have been interested serving as a juror.

"I'd like to hear the whole story, and then see if he’s necessarily insane," Marett said about the defendant.

Marett said he also has strong opinions about victim Chris Kyle.

"He's a hero, and he was trying to help others," Marett said.

Routh's relatives said say the victims were helping Routh with post traumatic stress. Routh's lawyers will argue that mental illness is to blame for the killings.

Adding to interest in the case is the Oscar-nominated movie "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper, based on Kyle's memoir of the same name. Kyle served four tours in Iraq before retiring from the military in 2009.

Judge Jason Cashon told potential jurors Thursday that they would not be dismissed simply for seeing the movie or reading the memoir as long as they can base their verdict strictly on evidence they hear in court.

"I don't know that I would want to be on that sort of trial, with a man's life on the line," said excused juror Lucas Burch. "But I mean, it's definitely curious and like everybody I assume, very interesting."

Potential jurors begin reporting Thursday to Cashon’s court in Stephenville, Texas. Four sessions were planned Thursday and Friday to screen people from a pool of 800 Erath County citizens notified for the case. Around 185 reported for the two sessions Thursday. Attorneys will begin selecting jurors Monday from the remaining pool. Opening statements are expected Wednesday.

"I'm certain that out of the 800 called jurors, they can find 12 that have not already concluded what they would do," excused juror Sherilyn Svien said.

Erath County District Clerk Wanda Pringle said about 300 of the 800 were eliminated earlier for legal exemptions or mailing errors.

The trial is expected to garner international attention. The court has issued an extensive list of rules related to media coverage and police have closed streets near the courthouse.

Excused jurors said everyone understands the importance of the case for the nation and the town.

"This is not a hick town, despite what people may think, we try to do the right thing, I think it's a town of high moral character," said Svien.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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