A man stands accused of plotting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh outside his Maryland residence in 2022.
According to The Hill, Nicholas Roske, who faces trial in June for attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice, disclosed to authorities that he had spent a month planning the attack and intended to "make the world a better place," as revealed in court documents filed Friday.
The documents made public as part of Roske's motion arguing his statements are inadmissible provide unprecedented insight into his mental state during the planned attack. His attorneys contend that he was not properly read his constitutional rights before police questioning, and his subsequent interview at the police station occurred without a valid waiver of rights.
Roske told investigators his actions were triggered by the leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court would overturn constitutional abortion protections. His frustration intensified upon learning about the potential loosening of gun restrictions following mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas.
According to Roske's statement to the special agent:
I've been suicidal for a long time, and when I saw that the leaked draft, it made me upset and then it made me want to — I don't know. I was under the — I was under the delusion that I could make the world a better place by killing him.
The suspect's psychiatric history reveals multiple previous holds, and he was due to take medication for an undisclosed condition when he arrived at Kavanaugh's residence.
Roske flew from California to Washington Dulles International Airport on June 7, 2022, arriving just before midnight. He located Kavanaugh's residence by cross-referencing Wikipedia information with Google Maps images from news articles.
The suspect carried various weapons and tools purchased online through Amazon, including a pistol bought from a California gun store. His backpack contained ammunition, zip ties, and a crowbar, all of which are now subject to his attorneys' motion to suppress evidence.
Roske's plans were abruptly halted following a conversation with his sister, who called him after receiving a concerning text message. This interaction prompted him to contact 911 immediately.
The defense team has filed motions challenging the constitutionality of police searches and questioning. They argue that without a search warrant, the examination of Roske's belongings violated his Fourth Amendment rights.
The prosecution faces a deadline next month to respond to these motions. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for judicial security and the broader political climate surrounding Supreme Court decisions.
Roske expressed to authorities that his actions were partially motivated by a desire to prevent harm to children, stating:
One of the biggest struggles with my [redacted condition] is having a sense of purpose, a sense that I'm doing something that matters, so I thought if I could, like, prevent a child from being raped, that would be good.
Nicholas Roske faces trial in June on charges of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh following his arrest outside the justice's Maryland home in 2022. The suspect's actions were motivated by disagreement with potential Supreme Court decisions on abortion rights and gun control, compounded by his documented mental health struggles. The case's outcome hinges on pending legal motions regarding the admissibility of evidence and statements, with prosecutors expected to respond to defense challenges next month.
