New Details Unveiled in Case of Alleged Justice Kavanaugh Assassination Attempt

More details have been unveiled in the case of Nicholas Roske’s alleged assassination attempt against Justice Kavanaugh amid his legal team’s efforts to have some evidence thrown out.

At a Glance

Nicholas John Roske, 28, faces trial on June 9, 2025, for allegedly attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Roske’s defense team is seeking to suppress evidence and statements, claiming he wasn’t properly informed of his rights
The suspect allegedly planned to kill Kavanaugh and then himself, and he reportedly told investigators he was motivated by a leaked draft overturning Roe v. Wade.
Roske’s lawyers argue he was “actively suicidal” at the time of his arrest, affecting the voluntariness of his statements.
The case highlights the contentious aftermath of the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion on abortion rights.

Alleged Assassination Plot Unveiled

Nicholas John Roske, a 28-year-old California resident, is set to face trial on June 9, 2025, in a Maryland U.S. District Court for allegedly attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Roske faces a felony charge of attempting to kidnap or murder, or threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder a judge. The case has garnered significant attention due to its connection to the controversial leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion rights.

According to court documents, Roske allegedly traveled from California to Maryland with the intent to kill Justice Kavanaugh and then take his own life. The suspect’s motivations reportedly stemmed from frustration over the leaked draft opinion that indicated the Supreme Court’s intention to overturn Roe v. Wade, as well as concerns about potential rulings on gun restrictions.

Defense Strategy and New Details

Roske’s defense team has recently filed motions to suppress evidence obtained from a warrantless search and statements made when he was arrested. They argue that Roske was not properly informed of his Miranda rights and was in a compromised mental state at the time of his apprehension. The legal documents have brought new details to light about the alleged assassination attempt.

“My plan was to kill Mr. Kavanaugh and then myself,” Roske allegedly confessed. Court documents state he also said, “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,” Roske allegedly said, adding that he’d thought killing Kavanaugh would make the world better.

Roske reportedly flew from California to Maryland and identified Justice Kavanaugh’s home. However, he abandoned his plan after a conversation with his sister and subsequently called 911, leading to his arrest. Law enforcement found him in possession of weapons and tools he had purchased online for the alleged assassination attempt.

The defense said that Roske was “actively suicidal” when arrested, which they argue affected the voluntariness of his statements to law enforcement. They’ve also revealed that Roske has a history of psychiatric holds and requires medication for an undisclosed medical condition, potentially complicating the legal proceedings.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation

This case has highlighted the intense political climate surrounding the Supreme Court’s decisions on contentious issues like abortion rights. The leaked draft opinion that allegedly inspired Roske’s actions led to significant protests and raised questions about the security of Supreme Court justices.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the Supreme Court was unable to identify the source of the leaked draft opinion. This failure to uncover the leaker has added another layer of controversy to an already contentious issue. As Roske’s trial approaches, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of heightened political tensions and the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of the judicial process.