Nicholas Roske Will Plead Guilty in Assassination Attempt Case

Nicholas John Roske is planning to plead guilty to an attempted assassination against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, according to recent court filings.

Key Takeaways

Nicholas John Roske intends to plead guilty to attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Roske was arrested near Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with weapons and zip ties in June 2022.
His motivation stemmed from a leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade and concerns about gun laws post-Uvalde shooting.
Roske’s plea comes with no agreement, potentially resulting in a life sentence.
Heightened security measures are now in place for Supreme Court justices as a result of this incident.

Pleading Guilty Without a Deal

Nicholas John Roske, a resident of California, is planning to enter a guilty plea, directly admitting to his charge of attempting to assassinate US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Roske, who does not have any plea deals in place, may face a life sentence—and his choice to plead guilty was confirmed by his attorneys in a court filing. They acknowledged that Roske aimed to kill Kavanaugh and took significant actions towards fulfilling this plan.

The circumstances that led to this grave decision are both shocking and tragic. Roske was captured in June 2022 near Kavanaugh’s residence in Maryland. At the time, Roske was armed with a gun, knife, and zip ties. It was his own call to 911 that led to his arrest, as he expressed his intent to kill Kavanaugh and then end his own life.

Man who had gun and knife will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh https://t.co/ujE30M8ICe

— The Denver Gazette (@DenverGazette) April 2, 2025

Motivation Behind the Crime

Roske’s motivation to carry out such an act reportedly stemmed from multiple factors. According to authorities, his journey from California to Maryland was primarily influenced by a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion, which indicated the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. This development, alongside the gut-wrenching Uvalde school shooting, reportedly triggered Roske’s alarming actions.

His defense, despite the judge raising the possibility of a mental evaluation, concluded that he was mentally fit to stand trial. His arrest also prompted a stronger security presence around Supreme Court justices, highlighting the potential threats they face amid divisive national debates and decisions.

Legal Implications and Next Steps

Roske’s decision to plead guilty without a plea deal marks a crucial point in this legal saga. The seriousness of his attempt to harm a Supreme Court justice cannot be understated. A hearing for his guilty plea is expected soon and will take place in Greenbelt, Maryland. Should Roske be convicted, he faces harsh penalties, including the possibility of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release.

This case is now being overseen by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, following the passing of Judge Peter Messitte. While a trial was initially set for early June, the defense suggested April 7 for his plea hearing. Roske, who initially pleaded not guilty, has since reversed his stance and shows intent to officially acknowledge his role and responsibility.