In early June 2022, against the backdrop of the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion for the Supreme Court’s Dobbs case, Nicholas Roske was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland. Roske, a California resident in his mid-20s, was allegedly armed with a gun, a knife, zip ties, and burglary tools, and reportedly expressed intent to kill Justice Kavanaugh. This incident occurred shortly before the official decision was revealed, with Kavanaugh among the majority that concluded the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
Roske faces a charge of attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice. After more than two years since the incident and lengthy plea negotiations, a trial date has now been set. According to The Hill, Judge Peter Messitte has scheduled the trial to commence on June 9, 2025. This places the trial nearly three years after the incident, with an expected duration of about one week.
Roske is being represented by public defenders, who have indicated that they do not foresee extensive motion practices preceding the trial. Legal professionals and observers will be watching closely as the case proceeds given its high-profile nature and the significant implications tied to the safety of judiciary members.
For more comprehensive coverage on this case, refer to the original article on Above the Law.