Defib1961
01-27-2015, 1:23pm
Found out to day that my partner on the ambulance received a jury summons for the Chris Kyle trial. That was kind of cool until some nut goes and calls in a threat right before jury selection is to begin.
By AUTUMN OWENS [email protected] Twitter @aowensETnews
Investigators with the Erath County Sheriff's Office are working to determine if a call made to the Empire-Tribune late Monday afternoon is a legitimate threat to security surrounding the trial of Eddie Routh.
Routh is accused of killing Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield at a gun range at Rough Creek Lodge in February 2013.
The trial, which has generated world-wide attention, is set to begin on Feb. 11.
About 4 p.m. Monday a man called the E-T and asked to speak to Managing Editor Sara Vanden Berge after telling the receptionist that something "big" was about to happen in Erath County.
The caller was transferred to Vanden Berge's office. He asked if the E-T planned to cover the trial and then told her that a bomb was going to go off right before jury selection.
Vanden Berge immediately contacted District Attorney Alan Nash and the sheriff's office launched an investigation.
"We are looking into this and have subpoenaed (the E-T's) phone records," said Sheriff Tommy Bryant. "Given the notoriety of this case, we have to take something like this seriously."
Erath County has set aside more than $1 million for security measures during the trial, which is expected to last two weeks.
Bryant said bomb technicians and 25 DPS troopers will be on hand during the duration of the trial as well as help from Stephenville police.
Security has also been arranged for jurors who will be escorted to and from the courthouse every day.
"We have also set up a command center and will have surveillance inside and outside the courthouse," Bryant said.
I just may have to go watch some of this trial when it starts.
By AUTUMN OWENS [email protected] Twitter @aowensETnews
Investigators with the Erath County Sheriff's Office are working to determine if a call made to the Empire-Tribune late Monday afternoon is a legitimate threat to security surrounding the trial of Eddie Routh.
Routh is accused of killing Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield at a gun range at Rough Creek Lodge in February 2013.
The trial, which has generated world-wide attention, is set to begin on Feb. 11.
About 4 p.m. Monday a man called the E-T and asked to speak to Managing Editor Sara Vanden Berge after telling the receptionist that something "big" was about to happen in Erath County.
The caller was transferred to Vanden Berge's office. He asked if the E-T planned to cover the trial and then told her that a bomb was going to go off right before jury selection.
Vanden Berge immediately contacted District Attorney Alan Nash and the sheriff's office launched an investigation.
"We are looking into this and have subpoenaed (the E-T's) phone records," said Sheriff Tommy Bryant. "Given the notoriety of this case, we have to take something like this seriously."
Erath County has set aside more than $1 million for security measures during the trial, which is expected to last two weeks.
Bryant said bomb technicians and 25 DPS troopers will be on hand during the duration of the trial as well as help from Stephenville police.
Security has also been arranged for jurors who will be escorted to and from the courthouse every day.
"We have also set up a command center and will have surveillance inside and outside the courthouse," Bryant said.
I just may have to go watch some of this trial when it starts.