Individual facing charges for plotting to assassinate Brett Kavanaugh scheduled for trial in June 2025
The individual, identified as Nicholas Roske, who's been charged with attempting to visit Justice Brett Kavanaugh's residence in Maryland armed, carrying burglary tools, and other relevant gear, made an appearance in court on Tuesday. Dressed in a crimson prison attire, sporting a short beard and a bun, he looked a bit different.
The trial is predicted to extend beyond a week and will be held in a federal courtroom in Maryland, situated a short distance from the nation's capital.
Judge Peter J. Messitte scheduled the trial for June 9, 2025, as no agreement regarding a plea bargain could be reached between the prosecution and defense attorneys over the past two years.
Following a discussion on various filing deadlines, Roske's legal team was queried if they'd request further mental evaluations for their client.
"No requirement for a mental evaluation," responded Roske's lawyer, Andrew Szekely.
Szekely also mentioned they'd petition the judge to discredit the statement Roske made to the police following his detainment. However, they will not seek to exclude the 911 calls where Roske is believed to have stated his intention to harm Kavanaugh.
According to the prosecutors, Roske called 911 when he was near Kavanaugh's Maryland residence in June 2022. During one of the calls, he reportedly declared his need for "psychiatric help."
"And you're from California. Do you know anyone down here?" the operator inquired in one of the calls.
"Brett Kavanaugh... the Supreme Court justice," Roske admitted.
"OK, and what were you planning to do?" the operator asked. "Just to harm yourself and him? Or what was going to transpire?"
"That's correct," Roske responded.
The defense team decided not to request additional mental evaluations for Roske, focusing instead on disputing his statement to the police and leaving the 911 calls as evidence. The political discourse surrounding this case has been intense, with many discussing the implications of such attempts on the broader context of politics and safety measures for public figures.
