American Sniper Chris Kyle called alleged killer 'nuts' in text

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield texted each other that Eddie Ray Routh seemed "nuts" in the hours before Routh allegedly shot the two to death.

While Kyle drove Littlefield and Routh to the gun range where the two victims were gunned down, Kyle texted Littlefield.

"This dude is straight up nuts," Kyle wrote.

"He's right behind me, watch my six," Littlefield responded, referencing military terminology for "my back."

The texts were part of opening remarks Monday by Routh's lawyer, Tim Moore, who argued his client, a former Marine, was not guilty by reason of insanity.

Monday was the first day of testimony in the trial. Routh faces two counts of first-degree murder of Littlefield and Kyle, whose life is the basis for the blockbuster book and Oscar-nominated movie American Sniper.

Kyle's widow, Taya Kyle, testified the day of her husband's death was the first time he met Routh. She said Kyle was always cautious about gun safety and the proper handling of firearms.

Taya testified her husband might not have recognized if someone was drunk or on drugs prior to going out to the range. Moore said Routh had been drinking whiskey and smoked marijuana laced with other drugs before he met up with Kyle and Littlefield.

Routh admitted to the shooting shortly after his arrest, telling police he had to kill Kyle and Littlefield to save his soul.

Routh's lawyer has also suggested that post-traumatic stress syndrome played a role in the murder.

The main questions in the case are whether Routh was legally insane at the time of the shooting and whether he should spend the rest of his life in jail or be committed to a mental-health facility with the possibility of parole. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War and became the most deadly sniper in U.S. military history. He reportedly killed 160 military targets. When he returned home, Kyle struggled with anxiety and founded FITCO Cares, a nonprofit that helps veterans suffering from PTSD. He co-wrote the bestselling book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, which was made into a movie that was released in December.