AMERICAN SNIPER TRIAL: Eddie Ray Routh Found Guilty In Death of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield

JURY FINDS EDDIE RAY ROUTH GUILTY!

Tonight, it took an Erath County, Texas jury less than 2 1/2 hours of deliberation to find Eddie Ray Routh guilty of the murder of American sniper, Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. The verdict came in at around 9:20 p.m. local time (10:20 p.m. E.T.) at a Stephenville, Texas courthouse. Routh will be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Chad Littlefield’s brother-in-law, Jerry Richardson, said of Routh after the sentence was handed down (VIDEO), “You took the lives of two heroes, men that tried to be a friend to you. You became an American disgrace.”

Eddie Ray Routh, the former Marine and Iraq War vet struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, was found guilty of capital murder Tuesday night in the shooting deaths of American Sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield.

Routh stared straight ahead at the judge’s bench as Judge Jason Cashon read the verdict. The jury of 10 women and two men took just over two hours to convict Routh, 27, in the murder of Kyle, 38, and Littlefield, 35, at an upscale shooting range near Fort Worth on Feb. 2, 2013.

Immediately after the verdict was read, Cashon condemned Routh to life in prison in the Texas criminal justice system without possibility for parole. Routh could appeal the verdict.

FOX News – Former Marine found guilty in ‘American Sniper’ trial, family responds.

“We have waited two years for God to give [us] justice on behalf of our son,” Littlefield’s mother, Judy, told reporters outside the courthouse. “And as always, God has proven to be faithful, and we’re so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight.”

Chris Kyle’s widow, Taya, was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Earlier in the day, she had stormed out of the courtroom in the middle of the defense’s closing arguments, whispering an expletive and slamming her hand on the wall as she walked out the door. At the time, attorneys were discussing how useful it would have been for Routh’s mother to have told Chris Kyle about her son’s history of violence.

God Bless Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, May they rest in Eternal Peace

DOJ Announces No Civil Rights Charges Against George Zimmerman in Shooting Death of Trayvon Martin

In the end, Eric Holder’s Department of Justice will not file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman.

The Department of Justice will not be filing charges against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Try as they might to to charge Zimmerman in this politically motivated sham of a DOJ investigation, it turns out they had nothing. Zimmerman was originally charged with the first degree murder of Trayvon Martin as many irresponsible individuals stated it was racially motivated and a hate crime. The “white” Hispanic killed a black teen.  Even though the feds had intimated that there would be no charges filed, federal officials have insisted their civil-rights probe would be thorough and complete as it went on for nearly three years. After all is said and done, after the liberal MSM and Obama/Holder Justice Department tried to railroad Zimmerman, he walks away with an acquittal and no civil rights charges. That usually occurs when one kills another in a self defense shooting. As Legal Insurrection opined, “This decision comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the actual facts of the case.” Imagine that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, NBPP, NAACP and the rest of the race-baiters, George Zimmerman did not violate Trayvon Martin’s civil rights or kill him because of his color.

Local prosecutors initially did not feel there was enough evidence to prosecute the case. They were replaced and a politically motivated prosecution was conducted to get their pound of flesh from George Zimmerman. The murder prosecution failed, not the federal investigation into civil rights charges against Zimmerman has failed. One has to wonder if a civil law suit is next? However, I would have to agree with Robert Zimmerman,  a wrongful death trial, could be very troubling to the family of Trayvon Martin and could lead to very unpleasant facts that were never a part of the criminal trial.

VIDEO – CNN

ABC News – Trayvon Martin: DOJ Announces No Charges Against George Zimmerman.

Justice Department officials met with Martin’s family today, and were told that they will not be filing charges against George Zimmerman, who shot the 17-year-old after a confrontation in 2012. Thursday marks three years to the day since Martin was killed.

Federal prosecutors concluded there is not sufficient evidence to prove Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman in Sanford, Fla., intentionally violated Martin’s civil rights.

“Although the department has determined that this matter cannot be prosecuted federally, it is important to remember that this incident resulted in the tragic loss of a teenager’s life,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division said. “Our decision not to pursue federal charges does not condone the shooting that resulted in the death of Trayvon Martin and is based solely on the high legal standard applicable to these cases.” The case sparked intense discussions over race in America because Martin was walking to his home with only Skittles and an iced tea in his hands.

Florida prosecutors tried to convict Zimmerman of state-level murder and manslaughter charges, but in July 2013 a jury acquitted him, saying prosecutors didn’t have enough evidence to prove their case.

UPDATE I: Federal Officials Close Investigation Into Death of Trayvon Martin.

Shortly after Zimmerman’s acquittal in state court on July 13, 2013, federal investigators resumed active investigation.  Federal investigators reviewed all of the material and evidence generated by the state of Florida in connection with its investigation and prosecution of Zimmerman, including witness statements, crime scene evidence, cell phone data, ballistics reports, reconstruction analysis, medical and autopsy reports, depositions, and the trial record.  Federal investigators also independently conducted 75 witness interviews and obtained and reviewed the contents of relevant electronic devices.  The investigation included an examination of police reports and additional evidence that was generated related to encounters Zimmerman has had with law enforcement in Florida since the state trial acquittal.  In addition, federal authorities retained an independent biomechanical expert who assessed Zimmerman’s descriptions of the struggle and the shooting.

The federal investigation sought to determine whether the evidence of the events that led to Martin’s death were sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman’s actions violated the federal criminal civil rights statutes, specifically Section 3631 of Title 42 of the U.S. Code or Section 249 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, as well as other relevant federal criminal statutes.  Section 3631 criminalizes willfully using force or threat of force to interfere with a person’s federally protected housing rights on account of that person’s race or color.  Section 249 criminalizes willfully causing bodily injury to a person because of that person’s actual or perceived race.  Courts define “willfully” to require proof that a defendant knew his acts were unlawful, and committed those acts in open defiance of the law.  It is one of the highest standards of intent imposed by law.

The federal investigation examined whether Zimmerman violated civil rights statutes at any point during his interaction with Martin, from their initial encounter through the fatal shooting.  This included investigating whether there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman violated Section 3631 by approaching Martin in a threatening manner before the fatal shooting because of Martin’s race and because he was using the residential neighborhood.  Investigators also looked at whether there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman violated Section 3631 or Section 249, by using force against Martin either during their struggle or when shooting Martin, because of Martin’s race.

“Although the department has determined that this matter cannot be prosecuted federally, it is important to remember that this incident resulted in the tragic loss of a teenager’s life,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division.  “Our decision not to pursue federal charges does not condone the shooting that resulted in the death of Trayvon Martin and is based solely on the high legal standard applicable to these cases.”

NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch indefinitely Ahead of Daytona 500 in Wake of Protective Order hearing for Ex-Grlfriend Patricia Driscoll (Update: Appeal Denied)

Hmm, before any criminal charges have been made, NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch indefinitely ahead of Daytona 500 … I guess it does not help when your nickname is “The Outlaw”.

Ahead of NASCAR’s biggest race, The Daytona 500, NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch indefinitely, effectively immediately.  The suspension is in the wake of a Family Court of the State of Delaware granting  Kurt Busch’s ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, a protective order, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred on September 26, 2014 where Busch is accused of choking her. Kurt Busch and his legal team have denied the allegations and have put forth that notion that Patricia Driscoll is woman scorned, who has set out on a path to destroy Busch. It is a case of she said, he said, with a twist, a bizarre twist. Kurt Busch says his ex is a “trained assassin”.

NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch for an indefinite period of time, which means he will not be in Sunday’s Daytona 500, pending an appeal.

“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch, effective immediately,” NASCAR said in a statement. “He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.”

Busch will appeal the decision, but Regan Smith has been named his official replacement and will fill Busch’s seat on Sunday.

“We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal,” Busch’s attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement. “We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.”

The former champion and current driver for Stewart-Haas has spent the last six months embroiled in a dispute with his former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. The precipitating event was an incident at Dover, Del., last fall in which Busch allegedly choked Driscoll. During that Sept. 26 incident at Busch’s motor home, Busch claimed he simply “cupped her head” and she struck her head by accident, while Driscoll claimed she was choked and thrown into a wall.

NASCAR STATEMENT:

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.

Busch, driver of the No. 41 car, was found to be in violation of:

• Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
• Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty

“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

“Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved.”

This is the first driver that NASCAR has ever suspended for domestic violence. It appears the NFL has spread to NASCAR. Obviously NASCAR felt the need to get ahead of this issue, having seen how badly NFL Roger Goodell handled the Ray Rice knock out of his girlfriend in a hotel elevator last year. Even before criminal charges were filed, NASCAR has decided to put the brakes on Kurt Busch.

It’s important to note that Busch has not yet been charged with any crime in the alleged incident — that is still an open investigation with the Delaware Attorney General’s office.

And let’s be clear: There are plenty of people in the NASCAR garage area who have their own opinions about Driscoll, her motives and her credibility.

But Jones’ ruling regarding the protective order was worded so strongly in Driscoll’s favor that it left NASCAR with no choice but to suspend Busch — especially in light of recent high-profile cases of domestic abuse or assault involving athletes, particularly NFL players Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson.

The American public appears to have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to public figures and domestic abuse.

Patricia Driscoll Granted Restraining Order Against Kurt Busch

UPDATE I: Kurt Busch’s suspension upheld by panel.

An appeals panel upheld NASCAR’s indefinite suspension of driver Kurt Busch on Saturday, one day after the sanctioning body handed down punishment based on the findings of a Delaware family court.

NASCAR announced the decision from its headquarters at the International Motorsports Center, where Busch’s appeal was heard by a three-member panel consisting of Mr. Paul Brooks, Ms. Lyn St. James and Mr. Kevin Whitaker.

Busch will file a final appeal to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, Bryan Moss.

Attorney General Eric Holder Blames Fox News For Talking About ‘Radical Islam’ (VIDEO) … Watch Reaction

Hasn’t this Fox News obsessed hater left office yet?

From The Daily Caller comes the following … At the National Press Club on Tuesday, outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder mocked Fox News for having the audacity of talking to much about the Obama administration’s refusal to use the term “radical Islam.” WOW, how dare they. Because you know Eric, if they didn’t report on it, we all know that the bias, left-wing liberal Democrat media complex would not. This is yet another example of just how small, petty and thin-skinned the Barack Obama White House is. Seriously, the media’s job is to question government. To single out a news media outlet like that is just so low rent. Holder said, we spend more time on what do you call it. Hmm, isn’t this the same person who calls out the Tea Party by name and calls police officers racists?

Huh, 21 Coptic Christians beheaded, a Muslim Jordain pilot burned alive in a cage, terror attacks in Paris and Copenhagen and the Obama administration refuses to use the term “radical Islam.” Instead they attack Fox News for actually doing their job. Why does it appear that the Obama administration talks tougher to Fox News than ISIS?

HOLDER: Whenever you’re getting criticized by both sides, it probably means you’re probably getting right. We spend more time, more time talking about what you call it, as opposed to what do you do about it, you know? I mean really. If Fox didn’t talk about this, they would have nothing else to talk about, it seems to me.

Radical Islam, Islamic extremism; I’m not sure an awful lot is gained by saying that. It doesn’t have any impact on our military posture; it doesn’t have any impact on what we call it, on the policies that we put in place. What we have to do is defined not by the terms that we use, but by the facts on the ground. So I don’t worry an awful lot about what the appropriate terminology ought to be.

I think that people need to actually think about that, and think about will we be having this conversation about words as opposed to what our actions ought to be? This is a difficult problem. This is going to be an ongoing issue. This is something that requires us to think as a nation how we are going to deal with the domestic issues that I was describing in my previous response, and how are we going to deal with the foreign policy consequences of some very, very serious problems that our allies face, and that we face, particularly in a particular part of the world. The terminology, it seems to me little to no impact on what ultimately we have to do.

Holder Blames Fox News For ‘Radical Islam’ Controversy – Greta Van Susteren

Watch the reaction to Holder’s comments. These may be some of the most truthful and honest comments ever made of the Obama administration. Its time to send the JV packing. Note to Obama, Holder et all … the jihad is not because they can’t get jobs at Arby’s.

The Five: Eric Holder Lashes Out At Fox News – Part 1

The Five: Eric Holder Lashes Out At Fox News – Part 2

Convicted Wife Killer Drew Peterson Charged With Murder for Hire to Kill Will County State’s Prosecutor James Glasgow

HE’S BACK IN THE NEWS FROM BEHIND BARS … DREW PETERSON CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR HIRE …

Just when you thought you had not heard from Drew Peterson in a while, he’s back. This time Peterson, the disgraced and former Bolingbrook police officer, has been charged in a murder for hire plot to kill the prosecutor who put him behind bars. Drew Peterson has been charged with solicited a person to find someone he could pay to kill Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. The 61 year old Peterson allegedly tried to hire someone to kill Glasgow between September 13 and December 14, 2014. Peterson faces two felony charges: solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire.

Why should any one be surprised what Drew Peterson would ever so? He’s a multiple murderer, what’s a murderer for hire plot after killing your wife? As former Peterson attorney says in the video below, there is no valid or logical reason to do something like this, except pure vengeance.  Hmm, that sounds completely like Drew Peterson.

Drew Peterson, the former suburban Chicago police officer convicted of killing his third wife and suspected in the disappearance of his fourth, has been charged with trying to hire someone to kill the prosecutor who helped put him in state prison, authorities announced Monday.

Peterson appeared in court on charges that between September 2013 and December 2014, while behind bars, he solicited a person to find someone he could pay to kill Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. Peterson did not enter a plea.

The latest complaint was filed by both the Illinois attorney general’s office and the prosecutor in Randolph County — the location of Menard Correctional Center, where Peterson is serving his sentence. In the two-page complaint, Peterson is charged with solicitation of murder for hire and one count of solicitation of murder, both felonies carrying a maximum sentence of at least 30 years in prison.

Peterson attorney Steven Greenberg said the charges “seem a bit absurd” because Peterson would have nothing to gain by trying to have Glasgow killed.

“This is completely out of character and inconsistent with everything I know about (Peterson),” Greenberg said. “I’ll wait to see what evidence they have.”

It would appear that his attorney knows nothing about his wife killing client.