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‘American Sniper’ trial: Heartbreak at the resort where Chris Kyle was killed ‘American Sniper’ trial: Heartbreak at the resort where Chris Kyle was killed
(about 20 hours later)
GLEN ROSE, Tex. — As the shadows grew long Monday outside the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort’s sprawling 11,000-acre facility, the tranquility was striking. Birds chirped and a pickup truck occasionally kicked up dust outside the luxury ranch, but there were few other distractions. It was nothing like the mayhem that pervaded here two years ago.GLEN ROSE, Tex. — As the shadows grew long Monday outside the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort’s sprawling 11,000-acre facility, the tranquility was striking. Birds chirped and a pickup truck occasionally kicked up dust outside the luxury ranch, but there were few other distractions. It was nothing like the mayhem that pervaded here two years ago.
The resort, nestled into rolling hills about 90 miles southwest of Dallas, was the site of the killing of “American Sniper” author and Navy SEAL veteran Chris Kyle. Police say that he and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were both shot to death on a gun range here by Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine Corps veteran that Kyle had agreed to try and help through some emotional turmoil.The resort, nestled into rolling hills about 90 miles southwest of Dallas, was the site of the killing of “American Sniper” author and Navy SEAL veteran Chris Kyle. Police say that he and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were both shot to death on a gun range here by Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine Corps veteran that Kyle had agreed to try and help through some emotional turmoil.
The Feb. 2, 2013, killing and forthcoming trial thrust a bright spotlight on a high-end ranch that was best known for its hunting, fine dining, wedding chapel and corporate conference center. The trial is set to begin Wednesday in nearby Stephenville, as the blockbuster movie “American Sniper,” based on Kyle’s book by the same name, closes in on grossing $300 million in less than two months. It was directed by Clint Eastwood, and stars Bradley Cooper as Kyle, credited by many as the most deadly marksman in U.S. military history.The Feb. 2, 2013, killing and forthcoming trial thrust a bright spotlight on a high-end ranch that was best known for its hunting, fine dining, wedding chapel and corporate conference center. The trial is set to begin Wednesday in nearby Stephenville, as the blockbuster movie “American Sniper,” based on Kyle’s book by the same name, closes in on grossing $300 million in less than two months. It was directed by Clint Eastwood, and stars Bradley Cooper as Kyle, credited by many as the most deadly marksman in U.S. military history.
[RELATED: Making Chris Kyle's 'American Sniper': Clint Eastwood's staff weighs in][RELATED: Making Chris Kyle's 'American Sniper': Clint Eastwood's staff weighs in]
The movie — which depicts the moments leading up to Kyle’s death, but not the killings themselves — has triggered weeks of debate about Kyle’s life as a sniper and the sometimes unverifiable nature of his legacy. At Rough Creek, however, his death is simply a huge source of sadness, said Jim Skinner, an attorney representing the resort.The movie — which depicts the moments leading up to Kyle’s death, but not the killings themselves — has triggered weeks of debate about Kyle’s life as a sniper and the sometimes unverifiable nature of his legacy. At Rough Creek, however, his death is simply a huge source of sadness, said Jim Skinner, an attorney representing the resort.
“It broke everybody’s heart,” said Skinner, who is based in the Dallas area. “Chris was a great friend to everybody at Rough Creek. His death was a huge tragedy.”“It broke everybody’s heart,” said Skinner, who is based in the Dallas area. “Chris was a great friend to everybody at Rough Creek. His death was a huge tragedy.”
That Skinner has been called upon to speak to the media speaks to the crush of attention the resort has received in the last two years. Employees at Rough Creek referred questions from The Washington Post to him, concerned that they may somehow influence the legal proceedings.That Skinner has been called upon to speak to the media speaks to the crush of attention the resort has received in the last two years. Employees at Rough Creek referred questions from The Washington Post to him, concerned that they may somehow influence the legal proceedings.
“We don’t want to do anything or say anything or have any comment about how much Chris meant to us because of any impact it could have on the trial,” Skinner said. “We want this process to take place, out of respect for Chris and his family, and the Littlefields.”“We don’t want to do anything or say anything or have any comment about how much Chris meant to us because of any impact it could have on the trial,” Skinner said. “We want this process to take place, out of respect for Chris and his family, and the Littlefields.”
Kyle’s relationship with the resort has been publicized in a variety of ways over the years. The military and law enforcement training company he founded, Craft International, has hosted numerous events there, with civilians paying thousands of dollars for marksmanship training.Kyle’s relationship with the resort has been publicized in a variety of ways over the years. The military and law enforcement training company he founded, Craft International, has hosted numerous events there, with civilians paying thousands of dollars for marksmanship training.
Kyle also frequently brought wounded veterans and friends there to relax and reflect, according to an often-cited 2013 profile of him published in D Magazine in Dallas. The resort has a variety of gun ranges, including the one on which he, Littlefield and Routh went shooting. Here is one of the ranges:Kyle also frequently brought wounded veterans and friends there to relax and reflect, according to an often-cited 2013 profile of him published in D Magazine in Dallas. The resort has a variety of gun ranges, including the one on which he, Littlefield and Routh went shooting. Here is one of the ranges:
[RELATED: Trial of Eddie Routh, killer of Chris Kyle, will be darkest chapter of "American Sniper"][RELATED: Trial of Eddie Routh, killer of Chris Kyle, will be darkest chapter of "American Sniper"]
Routh allegedly shot Kyle and Littlefield to death at Rough Creek, and then stole Kyle’s Ford pickup truck. His sister, Laura Blevins, told police that day that her brother was acting “psychotic” and that “people were sucking his soul,” according to a 911 phone recording later published by the Dallas Morning News.Routh allegedly shot Kyle and Littlefield to death at Rough Creek, and then stole Kyle’s Ford pickup truck. His sister, Laura Blevins, told police that day that her brother was acting “psychotic” and that “people were sucking his soul,” according to a 911 phone recording later published by the Dallas Morning News.
The trio were at Rough Creek less than two hours that day. They arrived around 3:15 p.m., and a resort employee found Kyle and Littlefield shortly before 5 p.m., police have said.The trio were at Rough Creek less than two hours that day. They arrived around 3:15 p.m., and a resort employee found Kyle and Littlefield shortly before 5 p.m., police have said.
Routh has been charged with two counts of murder. The trial is being held in Stephenville, a town of less than 20,000, because it is home to the district court of Erath County, where the shootings occurred.Routh has been charged with two counts of murder. The trial is being held in Stephenville, a town of less than 20,000, because it is home to the district court of Erath County, where the shootings occurred.
Editor’s note: Checkpoint is on assignment this week in Texas, covering the murder trial of Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine Corps veteran who is accused of killing former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the author of “American Sniper,” and his friend Chad Littlefield. This is the first in a series of posts.Editor’s note: Checkpoint is on assignment this week in Texas, covering the murder trial of Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine Corps veteran who is accused of killing former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the author of “American Sniper,” and his friend Chad Littlefield. This is the first in a series of posts.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/entertainment/american-sniper-fact-checked/2015/02/11/e1ad6b54-b1f5-11e4-bf39-5560f3918d4b_video.html