Eddie Ray Routh Gets Life Sentence for American Sniper Murder

The man accused of murdering American Sniper Chris Kyle and friend Chad Littlefield was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday evening following court proceedings in Stephenville, Texas.

In 2013, Eddie Ray Routh, now 27, was accused of shooting to death U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and friend Chad Littlefield at a shooting range near Fort Worth, Texas.

In a tense nine-day trial, Routh's defense team argued that their client should be found not guilty by way of insanity, arguing that Routh suffers from psychosis, schizophrenia and other mental diseases.

The prosecution argued that Routh knew what he did was wrong, as he traveled to his sister's house shortly after shooting Kyle and Littlefield and admitted that he had committed the crime. Routh reportedly appeared confused and eratic after the shooting, telling investigators that he believed pigs were taking over the earth and that he had to kill the two men because he was in danger.

Erath County District Attorney Alan Nash said in closing arguments Tuesday that "the deep well of excuse-making for this defendant has to come to an end," adding that Routh killed Kyle and Littlefield "in cold blood, he gunned these two men down."

Judy Littlefield, mother of Chad Littlefield, expressed her relief at the verdict following Tuesday evening's court proceedings.

"We've waited two years for God to get justice for us on behalf of our son and, as always, God has proved to be faithful," Littlefield said. "We're so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight."