Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, flew to Maryland for the alleged purpose of killing Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Montgomery County police arrested Roske on June 8 near Kavanaugh's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Police picked him up at about 1:50 a.m. after he reportedly made a 911 phone call. He allegedly told the dispatcher he intended to kill Kavanaugh and then himself.

In custody since his arrest, Roske was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 15, according to a joint statement by the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, Montgomery County Police Department, and the U.S. Marshall's Office. He was charged with one count of attempting to murder Kavanaugh.

Although he told police the morning of his arrest that he intended to kill Kavanaugh, Roske pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in U.S. District Court on June 22.

On July 14, Roske's federal public defender filed a motion in district court to suppress “any and all statements, admissions, and confessions allegedly given by Mr. Roske.”

A tentative trial date has been set for August 23.

Motivated by abortion

When he was arrested, Roske had in his possession a Glock-17 pistol, 37 bullets, other incriminating weapons, and burglary tools.

The Washington Post reported on July 29 that Roske believed killing Kavanaugh and two other conservative justices would prevent the Supreme Court from overturning Roe v. Wade. Roe was a 1973 ruling that gave women the constitutional right to an abortion.

In a decision announced June 24, Kavanaugh voted with five other justices to overrule Roe and return the right to control abortions to the individual states.

Not guilty yet

Although he was caught red-handed and confessed, Roske is still presumed innocent. If he is found guilty at trial, he faces up to life in prison.

Never confess without legal representation. For a free consultation, call the criminal defense specialists at the Sigal Law Group in Los Angeles at 818-325-0570.