Is PTSD on trial in the murder case of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle?
Americans, our leaders, the military and supporting groups and organizations have learned a lot about post-traumatic stress disorder from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Growing efforts are aimed at helping veterans with PTSD. Does what you know about this condition affect your sympathy in the Stephenville capital murder trial of Eddie Ray Routh, accused in the killings of former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield? Should this case have gone to trial, or does Routh belong in mental health treatment instead?
This case should not have gone to trial and it isn’t so much about PTSD as it is about thought-disordered psychosis.
Eddie Ray Routh, released just a week earlier from apparently inadequate inpatient psychiatric treatment, was overpowered and compelled by his paranoid, delusional thinking when he killed two people.
The differential for a mental illness defense should not be whether the individual knows right from wrong, but whether the individual knows real from unreal, fact from fantasy, and has the capacity to make and act upon a rational judgment based on that distinction.
When hell resides in one’s head, one behaves hellishly.
— Nancy S. Smith, Fort Worth
How pray tell did Eddie Routh have PTSD?
His MOS (Military Occupational Standard) was working on arms in the armory.
Everyone I have known with PTSD has been shot at.
I have had many friends that were in combat, primarily in Vietnam, and they have PTSD.
Their MOS jobs required them to be on the front line, not in an armory somewhere.
I think if you read Mr. Routh’s story closely, you realize his problems were from his involvement with dope and chemical abuse.
A close friend who has PTSD from three tours in Laos working with Air America, I asked him if he was ever shot at?
“Everyday,” he replied.
— Ron Criswell, Grapevine
PTSD has a long history with war vets returning from conflicts. Formally known as shell shock particularly during WWI and WWII, this traumatic stress from war engagement becomes a casualty of one’s mind.
Recently, there’s been additional legislation passed to help and treat the victims of PTSD.
In the case of Eddie Ray Routh, more intense treatment that may not have been readily available prior to the Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield murders might have prevented the lethal outcome.
Routh passes the litmus test for the insanity defense and putting him on trial doesn’t serve the justice when it’s obvious he’s incompetent.
He belongs in a mental health treatment center, not prison.
— Cynthia Sseketto, Fort Worth
PTSD is not the issue in the trial since Routh never was in a combat situation in Iraq and also those who suffer from PTSD are suicidal not homicidal.
Routh knew what he was doing was wrong when he drank alcohol and smoked marijuana before going to the gun range.
He deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
— Oscar Delgado, Granbury
As a two-time combat veteran, I believe Kyle used poor judgment taking an obviously sick man to a firing range.
— Nat Fralia, Fort Worth
This trial should not be about what Kyle did or didn't do in his previous life. This trial is about two people dead and a man that is (obviously) sick, being tried for their murders.
I care not if Routh is a victim of PTSD or bipolar.
What is known is that he is sick and needs help and needed help where no help was found.
My question: Why would someone take a mentally ill man to a gun range and put a gun in his hand?
Again, what Kyle did in his past has nothing to do with what is taking place in a courtroom, in Stephenville.
— Carole Allen, Hamilton
PTSD is a serious result from many types of trauma and we need to do more to help soldiers and others cope with this disease.
That being said, it is clear from all that I have heard and read that Eddie Ray Routh knew what he was doing and knew that it was wrong.
This was pure murder done in a matter-of-fact way. Then Routh continued with his daily activities.
He admitted killing two people, taking the truck and saying that he had more people to kill.
He should be convicted and sent to prison for life with no possibility of parole.
This is unfortunate but justice needs to be served.
— Walter H. Delashmit,
Justin
Mental health treatment is most assuredly needed but not for the cold-blooded killer named Eddie Ray Routh.
And, if we’re passing out blame, let’s pile some of it at the feet of Routh’s mother for contacting and convincing Kyle to try and help her son.
The victims became concerned about Routh the moment they picked him up and she must have been aware of the dangers and should be held partially liable.
Too many times we see that drugs, stress, depression, or whatever, can bring out the demons resulting in horrific things being done to innocent people.
But to suggest that it’s somehow an excusable legality is as wrong as the people who commit the crimes.
— Patrick Jenkins,
Arlington
All Points each Monday features reader responses to a question posed by the Editorial Board. With each week’s responses comes the next week’s question. All Points responses are not counted toward the monthly limit of one letter to the editor from each writer. Readers are welcome to send their own ideas for All Points topics to Editorial Director Mike Norman, mnorman@star-telegram.com.
This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Is PTSD on trial in the murder case of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle?."