This combination of photos from the Routh family and the Erath County Sheriff̢۪s Office shows Eddie Ray Routh. The former Marine is accused of killing Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield on Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Routh Family, Erath County Sheriff's Office)
The Associated Press
STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) - Jury selection is to begin Monday in the trial of the man accused of fatally shooting a former Navy SEAL who was depicted in the Oscar-nominated film "American Sniper."
More than 260 potential jurors are set to report to district court in the Texas town of Stephenville, southwest of Fort Worth. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh is charged with capital murder in the deaths of 38-year-old Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend, 35-year-old Chad Littlefield, two years ago at a luxury resort's shooting range in a rural area about 25 miles southeast of Stephenville. The trial is expected to start Wednesday.
The film "American Sniper" is based on Kyle's 2012 memoir. He left the Navy in 2009 after four tours in Iraq.
Judge Jason Cashon told potential jurors during a jury qualification process last week that they wouldn't be dismissed just for seeing the movie or reading the book.
Instead of a typical Erath County jury pool of 175, about 800 jury summonses were sent out, district clerk Wanda Pringle has said. Several hundred people who weren't eliminated due to exemptions or other factors took part in last week's screening. The group was narrowed during that process after potential jurors were dismissed for a variety of reasons, including some who said pretrial publicity had already led them to a decision in the case.
Defense attorneys plan to pursue an insanity defense. Prosecutors won't seek the death penalty, but will ask for a sentence of life in prison without parole if Routh's convicted.
Family members have said Routh, 27, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the Marines in 2010. The small arms technician served in Iraq and was deployed to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Kyle took Routh to the shooting range after Routh's mother asked if he could help her son.
About two hours after they arrived at Rough Creek Lodge and Resort on Feb. 2, 2013, an employee discovered the bodies of Kyle and Littlefield at the remote range.
In the meantime, authorities say Routh drove to his sister's house in Kyle's truck, telling her and her husband that he'd killed Kyle and Littlefield.
His sister told police that Routh "was out of his mind saying people were sucking his soul and that he could smell the pigs."
This Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo shows the front entrance of the Rough Creek Lodge resort near Glen Rose, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, an Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal issues is scheduled to stand trial in nearby Stephenville, Texas in the slayings of two men who were trying to help him, former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. The two were found dead at the gun range here on Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
In this Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo, a sign welcomes visitors to the Rough Creek Lodge resort near Glen Rose, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, the Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal demons is scheduled to stand trial in nearby Stephenville, Texas, this week in the slayings of two men who were trying to help him, one of them former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, subject of the Hollywood blockbuster "American Sniper." (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
In this Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo, a movie patron wears a Chris Kyle-themed shirt as heads to watch the sold out afternoon showing of the movie "American Sniper" in Stephenville, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, an Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal issues is scheduled to stand trial in Stephenville for the slayings of two men who were trying to help him, one of them former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, subject of the movie, and Chad Littlefield. Routh's lawyers plan an insanity defense but wonder whether he can get a fair trial in this county. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this April 6, 2012 file photo, Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL and author of the book "American Sniper," holds a weaon in Midlothian, Texas. Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were fatally shot at a shooting range southwest of Fort Worth, Texas on Feb. 2, 2013. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, who came with them to the range, has been arrested for the murders. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 file photo, Patriot Guard Riders prepare to form a procession for Chad Littlefield during his funeral at the First Baptist Church of Midlothian, Texas. Littlefield and former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle found dead at a gun range on Feb. 2, 2013. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, who came with them to the range, has been arrested for the murders. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Michael Ainsworth)
The Associated Press
This undated photo released by the Routh family on Feb. 26, 2013 shows Eddie Ray Routh and his mother, Jodi. The Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal issues is scheduled to stand trial in Stephenville, Texas for the Feb. 2, 2013 killings of two men who were trying to help him, former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, portrayed in the movie "American Sniper," and Chad Littlefield. (AP Photo/Routh Family)
The Associated Press