‘American Sniper’ trial starts Wednesday

Opening statements in the trial of Eddie Ray Routh, charged with capital murder in the 2013 deaths of Kyle and Chad Littlefield, are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at a courthouse in Erath County, Texas.

The trial comes just weeks after the release of the film about Kyle, who claimed to be the deadliest sniper in U.S. history with 160 confirmed kills in Iraq. The film has grossed more than $280 million, the most ever for a war movie, and the autobiography by the same name spent weeks on best-seller lists.

A day at the range

Kyle had already risen to fame through his book when he died on February 2, 2013. He’d been doing charitable work to help former troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and on that day he took Routh and Littlefield — both veterans — to a firing range about 90 miles southwest of Dallas.

“The first time, you’re not even sure you can do it,” he said in the interview. “But I’m not over there looking at these people as people. I’m not wondering if he has a family. I’m just trying to keep my guys safe.”

Kyle’s story and the movie made from it have triggered broad enthusiasm but also drawn critics and doubts about his accounts.

A sniper’s view: ‘When you are bred to kill, you know’

CNN’s Greg Botelho and Jason Morris contributed to this report.

CNN