The trial of Eddie Ray Routh, accused of the murder of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield, continued today in Texas. On Thursday, the defense offered a psychiatrist as an expert witness who testified that Routh was exhibiting signs of schizophrenia two years before the slaying. Friday, the prosecution presented its rebuttal, repeating its contention that drugs were responsible for Routh’s state of mind at the time of the shooting.
Testimony from both sides appears to fall short of proving that Routh was unaware that his actions were wrong.
Legal definition of insanity in Texas. #snipertrial pic.twitter.com/WFDyz3qsWX
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Friday’s chief witness was forensic psychologist Dr. Randall Price.
First rebuttal witness is Randall Price, PHD. Forensic Psychologist @NBCDFW #AmericanSniper pic.twitter.com/BLl0dAiFuq
— Ken Kalthoff (@KenKalthoffNBC5) February 20, 2015
State calls Dr. Randall Price, a forensic psychologist. He teaches legal and psychology classes. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price reviewed Routh's school files, military files, jail records, autopsy reports, crime scene photos. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price says Routh doesn't meet def of insanity in TX. He was experiencing mental disease caused by alcohol, drug use. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price says: "He did know what he was doing was wrong, and he did it anyway." #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Unsurprisingly, State's Dr. Price testifies that Routh is not insane. The state of Texas doesn't recognize temporary insanity. #SniperTrial
— GoodKat (@snipershawk) February 20, 2015
Price says he doesn't believe Routh suffers from schizophrenia. Was in state of psychosis caused by drug use when he shot Kyle, Littlefield
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
To anyone who read of Routh’s belief that his co-workers were hybrid pig-men and was reminded of the “Seinfeld” episode where Kramer searches the hospital for “the pig-man,” you weren’t far off.
Price says he believes Routh was saying that he saw 'pig people' bc he watches Seinfeld. Episode of Seinfeld about pig ppl. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price says since Routh has a television in his cell n he likes Seinfeld, n in one episode there was a person half pig half man.
— John Carroll (@JohnCarrollKWTX) February 20, 2015
Price says he suspects Routh is faking symptoms that could be attributed to schizophrenia. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Dr. Price says Routh exaggerated on his psych evaluations. Checked 100% of possible things wrong with his body. #snipertrial
— Ali Ehrlich (@ehrlichABC) February 20, 2015
Price. Tested Routh to see if he was faking some psychiatric symptoms. He tried to fake on some tests.
— Fil Alvarado (@fil_alvarado) February 20, 2015
Price says Routh has a personality disorder, which is diff from mental disorders. He was also dependent on weed, alcohol #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price. Routh condition has improved in jail because he has no access to drugs and alcohol. Received medications.
— Fil Alvarado (@fil_alvarado) February 20, 2015
Price says Routh does not have PTSD. Is a narcissist who believes people envy him bc he's a tall, handsome Marine. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price says Routh does not have PTSD. NO significant traumatic events to cause It @NBCDFW #AmericanSniper pic.twitter.com/5NK8pnF2rf
— Ken Kalthoff (@KenKalthoffNBC5) February 20, 2015
Dr. Price said Routh was an armorer and a prison guard & he never saw combat in Iraq & did not help clean up bodies in Haiti. #snipertrial
— Melody M. Lanier (@melodymlanier) February 20, 2015
Testimony then turned to the night of Kyle’s and Littlefield’s murders.
#snipertrial Price: Routh says Kyle or Littlefield weren't talking to him and "weren't treating him right." "Was still on edge"
— John Mone (@JohnMone) February 20, 2015
Routh also said he was offended that #ChrisKyle didn't shake his hand. "They just weren't treating him right," Price says. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Routh consistently says he didn't like that Littlefield wasn't shooting at the range. "I better shoot Chad before he shoots me."#snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
"When I shot them, I thought, 'Jesus Christ, what have I done?'" Routh told Price. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Routh told Price after he shot them he said "Jesus Christ what have I done" became immediately remorseful. #snipertrial
— Ali Ehrlich (@ehrlichABC) February 20, 2015
Price: "(Routh) is easily wronged, easily angered, and that's part of the evidence for the personality disorder." #snipertrial #wfaa
— Sebastian Robertson (@srobertsontv) February 20, 2015
Price said Routh waited for #ChrisKyle to empty his weapon b4 Routh shot him. Price says this shows Routh knew he was wrong. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Routh shot Littlefield in the back. Littlefield wasn't facing him. Ballistics show that Littlefield, Kyle shot w/ diff guns. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
2 clarify, Kyle shot w/ 1 gun 6x. Littlefield shot w/ another 7x. Investigators thought Kyle was shot 1st. Routh says otherwise #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Routh told Price that he 1st thought of shooting #ChrisKyle, Littlefield on the way to gun range, but didn't want to get into a car crash.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Price says every time Routh was hospitalized, medical records show he had used marijuana and/or alcohol. Says psychosis caused by weed use.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
The trial continued into Friday afternoon with another witness, Dr. Michael Arambula, taking the stand.
Dr. Michael Arambula now on witness stand. Forensic psychiatrist, former pharmacist. Second expert rebuttal witness called by prosecution.
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
Dr. Arambula says he does not believe Routh has a serious mental disease or defect. Does not think Routh has schizophrenia. #snipertrial
— Tasha Tsiaperas (@ttsiaperas) February 20, 2015
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