Man who shot dead 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle guilty of murder

Eddie Ray Routh has been found guilty of the murder of American Sniper Chris Kyle.

Routh, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran, shot and killed Kyle and another man, Chad Littlefield, at a shooting range on February 2, 2013.

He originally pleaded not guilty to the murders by reason of insanity.

Routh was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

Kyle, reportedly the deadliest sniper in US military history with 160 confirmed kills, was a Navy SEAL who completed four tours of Iraq.

On his return he worked with other veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, of which Routh was one.

A film adaptation of Kyle's autobiography American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, was recently released in cinemas.

Despite being criticised in some quarters for perceived Islamophobia, it has been a success at the box office and was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

It won just one Oscar for Best Sound Editing.