A California man’s plea of not guilty to attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has shed light on the intense emotions surrounding the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade.
At a Glance
- Nicholas John Roske, 26, pleaded not guilty to attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh
- Roske was arrested near Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland, armed with a gun and knife
- The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison
- Roske’s motivation stemmed from the leaked draft opinion potentially overturning Roe v. Wade
- A trial date has been set for June 2025
Arrest and Charges
Nicholas John Roske, a 26-year-old man from Simi Valley, California, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The arrest occurred on June 8, 2022, near Justice Kavanaugh’s Maryland residence, where Roske was found armed with a gun, a knife, and zip ties.
Roske was indicted by a grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, and faces one count of attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice. This charge carries a potential life sentence if convicted. During his arraignment, the defendant appeared visibly distressed, prompting some concerns about his mental state.
JUST IN: Armed man arrested near Brett Kavanaugh's home after making threats against the Supreme Court justice https://t.co/yZ0bdtmR1Q
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 8, 2022
Motivation and Surrender
According to court documents, Roske’s actions were motivated by the leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade. He reportedly expressed intentions online to influence the court’s decisions by targeting justices. Roske’s plan was to kill Justice Kavanaugh and then himself, driven by a belief that it would benefit society.
However, in a turn of events, Roske decided to surrender after a phone call with his sister. He called county police, admitting his intentions and expressing suicidal thoughts. This action led to his immediate arrest and the prevention of a potentially tragic incident.
Legal Proceedings and Criticism
U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte has set a trial date for June 2025, nearly three years after Roske’s arrest. This extended timeline has drawn criticism from some quarters, including Tom Fitton, who accused the Biden-Garland Justice Department of slow-walking the prosecution.
Critics have also pointed out perceived disparities in the Department of Justice’s handling of this case compared to others, particularly those involving former President Trump. Additionally, there have been accusations that the Biden administration has allowed illegal pro-abortion protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices to continue unchecked.
