In ‘American Sniper’ trial, prosecution puts accused killer’s words in spotlight

A chilling video shown in court showed police placing Routh into a squad car moments after authorities chased him down a Texas highway. Earlier that day in February 2013, authorities say he gunned down two men who were trying to help him at a firing range: Chris Kyle, subject of the hit film “American Sniper,” and Kyle’s friend, Chad Littlefield.

In the video, Routh is breathing heavily and teary-eyed.

An officer asks if he’s OK. Routh replies: “I’m just so nervous about what’s been happening in my life today. I don’t know what’s been happening. I’ve been so paranoid schizophrenic all day. I don’t know what to even think of the world right now. I don’t know if I’m insane or sane.”

At times, Routh appears agitated in the video. He squirms around the back seat. Other times he rests his head with his eyes closed.

The small arsenal of weapons Kyle brought to the range that day was shown to the jury, which included five long rifles and several handguns, including one of Kyle’s rifles labeled “American Sniper.”

Kyle and Littlefield took Routh to the firing range as a kind of therapy.

The range is a small, remote part of the sprawling 11,000-acre Rough Creek Lodge, and the men were isolated.

A hunting guide found Kyle, 38, and Littlefield, 35, who also was a veteran, motionless and called 911. The men were dead when officers arrived.

CNN’s Catherine E. Shoichet and Dana Ford contributed to this report.

CNN