American Sniper Chris Kyle trial: Judge refuses to order a mistrial

Lawyers for Eddie Ray Routh made request after prosecution presented incorrect information

Eddie Ray Routh, pictured here in an undated police booking shot, is accused of killing sniper Kyle (Reuters)

The judge in the case of the man charged with the murder of ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle has refused a request from defence lawyers to order a mistrial.

Lawyers for Eddie Ray Routh made their request on the fifth day of testimony at the court in Stephenville, Texas. They pointed out that prosecutors had suggest that glass vials presented to the court belonged to Routh. As it was, they had been stored in evidence boxes containing drug paraphernalia seized from Routh’s house.

Judge Jason Cashon refused the lawyers’ request but told the jury to ignore what they had been told about the vials, the Dallas Morning News reported.

American sniper Chris Kyle had over a 100 'kills' to his name (AP)

Routh, 27, is charged with the murder of Mr Kyle and his best friend, Chad Littlefield. The men were shot dead down in February 2013 at a Texas gun range.

Routh’s lawyers have argued that the former marine, who was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, was not legally sane at the time of the killing.

In a taped confession played on for jurors, Routh admitted killing Mr Kyle and Mr Littlefield and said he had smoked marijuana before the men picked him up.

“If I didn’t take out his soul, he was going to take my soul next,” said Routh.

On Tuesday, prosecutors played a video recorded inside a police vehicle r after Routh was arrested. Officers can be heard telling Routh several times to “relax” and “take a breath.”

Routh responded: “I’ve been so paranoid and schizophrenic all day. I don’t even know what to make of the world right now. I don’t know if I’m insane.”

The trial continues.