CRIME

Jury selection to start in trial of former Marine accused of killing 'American Sniper' author

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This combination of photos from the Routh family and the Erath County Sheriff’s Office shows Eddie Ray Routh. The former Marine is accused of killing Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield on Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Routh Family, Erath County Sheriff's Office) (The Associated Press)

This Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo shows the front entrance of the Rough Creek Lodge resort near Glen Rose, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, an Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal issues is scheduled to stand trial in nearby Stephenville, Texas in the slayings of two men who were trying to help him, former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. The two were found dead at the gun range here on Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

In this Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo, a sign welcomes visitors to the Rough Creek Lodge resort near Glen Rose, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, the Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other personal demons is scheduled to stand trial in nearby Stephenville, Texas, this week in the slayings of two men who were trying to help him, one of them former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, subject of the Hollywood blockbuster "American Sniper." (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Jury selection is to begin in the trial of the man accused of fatally shooting a former Navy SEAL depicted in the Oscar-nominated film "American Sniper."

More than 260 potential jurors are to report to district court Monday in the Texas town of Stephenville, southwest of Fort Worth. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh is charged with capital murder in the deaths of Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend Chad Littlefield two years ago at a luxury resort's shooting range in rural Texas.

The film "American Sniper" is based on Kyle's 2012 memoir about his four tours in Iraq. He left the Navy in 2009.

About 800 jury summonses were sent out. Several hundred people who weren't eliminated due to exemptions or other factors took part in a qualification process last week.