“American Sniper” Trial: Can Big Night at Oscars Sway Jurors?
Published at
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures(NEW YORK) — As the stars gather Sunday for the Academy Awards, some question whether an Oscar win for American Sniper would impact jurors in the murder trial of Chris Kyle’s accused killer, Eddie Ray Routh.
After each day of the murder trial in Stephenville, Texas, State District Judge Jason Cashon has reminded the jurors to avoid any media coverage, but he has not banned them from watching the Oscars with closing arguments scheduled to begin Monday.
According to jury consultant Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, this real-life trial and Academy Awards overlap is “truly unprecedented.”
“[It’s] never happened in judicial history,” she said.
Although the film depicts Kyle as a war hero, Dimitrius said she’s confident the 12 jurors won’t be swayed even if they have seen the film.
“When this jury goes into this jury room to begin their deliberations, I believe the most powerful evidence will be … from the testimony of the witnesses in the case,” Dimitrius said. “That testimony is more powerful than anything you could see in a movie, anything that you could read in a newspaper, or anything that you could hear from a friend or colleague.”
American Sniper was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Adapted Screenplay. But Dimitrius said she believes jurors will listen to the judge’s instructions, even if the film enjoys a big night.
“Even if this movie wins six Academy Awards, that jury is going to do their civil duty by taking into consideration solely the evidence and the witnesses that they heard in the courtroom,” she said.
During jury selection earlier this month, potential jurors were asked on a questionnaire if they had seen American Sniper or read Kyle’s autobiography, but the judge said it doesn’t matter if a juror has seen the film as long as he or she can be fair.
Kyle, who was considered the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history, wrote an autobiography that became the basis of the film, which stars Bradley Cooper.
Routh is accused of shooting and killing Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, at a Texas gun range in February 2013.
Routh has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. One psychiatrist testified that the Marine veteran had severe schizophrenia and didn’t know right from wrong, while the prosecution claimed he was fully aware of his actions.
The film is not considered a heavy favorite for any of the three major categories in which it was nominated, said ABC News and ESPN contributing editor Chris Connelly, but he added that “it certainly has a chance.”
World News Videos | US News Videos
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.