Jury Selection Begins In Chris Kyle Murder Trial
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
STEPHENVILLE (CBSDFW.COM)- Thursday was the first day that lawyers began sifting through a huge number of potential jurors in the Eddie Routh murder trial.
The case has drawn a huge amount of attention since Routh is accused of killing Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield at a gun range.
Routh's attorney says he plans on entering an insanity plea since Routh suffers from PTSD.
Thursday, jury selection began. Eight hundred people have been summoned to be in the jury pool.
Thursday there were 400 summoned people scheduled to appear with about half showing up.
The lawyers asked very basic questions today finding the people who they know won't qualify for the jury -- like Joe McCartney.
"I was the same as Chris Kyle," McCartney told reporters outside the courthouse.
"You were a sniper?" a reporter asked.
"Yes,"'he replied.
McCartney wore a vest emblazoned with military patches. He said he is a retired Marine Corps veteran and was a Vietnam War sniper who was just dismissed from jury duty. He says he is still undergoing PTSD treatment.
McCartney was dismissed from jury service.
One of the things lawyers want to know about potential jurors is if they believe PTSD can be grounds for an insanity plea.
Mccartney says Routh should have had no problem finding PTSD treatment.
"It has been easy as hell," McCartney said. "The VA has given me everything as far as medicine and psychiatric help. And it's out there for any veteran."
Erath County officials say 189 people responded to the 400 jury summonses sent. Four hundred more were sent out for Friday.
Monday, attorneys begin asking individuals questions trying to narrow the field down to 12 jurors and two alternates. One hundred fifty candidates passed muster Thursday and will be required to return Monday.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)