Current:Home > reviewsTrial date set for June for man accused of trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh -StockSource
Trial date set for June for man accused of trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:37:03
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A trial is scheduled to start in June 2025 for a California man charged with trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home in a suburb of Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte set the trial date for Nicholas John Roske during a hearing Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. It was the first hearing for the case in nearly two years.
Roske, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested near Kavanaugh’s home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in June 2022. Roske was armed with a gun and a knife, carried zip ties and was dressed in black when he arrived in the neighborhood by taxi just after 1 a.m., federal authorities said.
Roske, who was 26 when he was arrested, pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder a justice of the United States. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
After his arrest, Roske told a police detective that he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court intended to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
Killing one jurist could change the decisions of the court “for decades to come,” Roske wrote online before adding, “I am shooting for three,” according to authorities.
The leaked draft opinion led to protests, including at several of the justices’ homes. Roske’s arrest spurred the U.S. House to approve a bill expanding around-the-clock security protection to the justices’ families.
Roske also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed that Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said.
Roske was apprehended after he called 911 and told a police dispatcher that he was near Kavanaugh’s home and wanted to take his own life. Roske was spotted by two U.S. marshals who were part of 24-hour security provided to the justices.
Roske, who is jailed in Baltimore while awaiting trial, was led into the courtroom in handcuffs and and shackles Tuesday. He did not speak during the 20-minute hearing.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin June 9. “Selecting a jury in this case may take a little longer,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Gavin said in court Tuesday. The trial is expected to last about a week.
In a court filing last month, Gavin said prosecutors and defense attorneys were unable to negotiate the terms of a “pretrial resolution of this case,” such as a plea agreement.
During a hearing in October 2022, Messitte said there was a “very high likelihood” that he would order a mental evaluation for Roske to determine if he was fit to assist his defense, enter a possible guilty plea or stand trial.
Andrew Szekely, one of Roske’s attorneys, said during Tuesday’s hearing that the defense is not requesting a court-ordered mental evaluation of Roske.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- 2024 U.K. election is set to overhaul British politics. Here's what to know as Labour projected to win.
- Man charged with stealing and selling car of elderly couple who were fatally shot in South Florida
- Jenn Tran never saw herself as a main character. Now she’s the first Asian 'Bachelorette'
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- The Minnesota Dam That Partially Failed Is One of Nearly 200 Across the Upper Midwest in Similarly ‘Poor’ Condition
- You can get a car with a bad credit score, but it could cost $10,000 more
- Tom Brady suffers rare loss in star-studded friendly beach football game
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Joey Chestnut nearly eclipses Nathan's contest winner during exhibition at Army base in Texas
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Sierra Leone outlaws child marriage. Even witnesses to such weddings can face jail time.
- Hatch recalls nearly 1 million AC adapters used in baby product because of shock hazard
- With elite power and speed, Bron Breakker is poised to be a major WWE star
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Tennis star Andy Murray tears up at Wimbledon salute after doubles loss with brother
- Biden cancels speech at teachers union convention in Philadelphia after union staff goes on strike
- From Illinois to Utah: July 4th firework mishaps claimed lives and injured dozens
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Storms kill man in Kansas after campers toppled at state park; flood watches continue
Messi, Argentina to face Canada again: What to know about Copa America semifinal
See Brittany and Patrick Mahomes Ace Wimbledon Style
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
New UK prime minister Keir Starmer vows to heal wounds of distrust after Labour landslide
ATV crashes into pickup on rural Colorado road, killing 2 toddlers and 2 adults
Beryl set to strengthen on approach to Texas due to hot ocean temperatures