The California man accused of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
26-year-old Nicholas John Roske pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice.
One June 8, Roske reportedly traveled from California to Maryland and showed up in Kavanaugh’s neighborhood.
He was armed with a gun, knife, pepper spray, and burglary tools when police found him.
Roske allegedly told police that he was intending to use those items in order to kill the Supreme Court justice.
He had also told police that he was upset over the leaked draft opinion that suggested the overturn of Roe v. Wade. In addition, he said he believed Kavanaugh would decide to loosen gun laws following the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Roske had called 911, telling the operator that he was having suicidal thoughts and was planning to kill Kavanaugh.
He also texted his sister before revealing the plan to kill Kavanaugh and authorities believe what she said influenced him to abandon the plan, reported Fox News.
While being sworn in during the court hearing on Wednesday, Roske only raised his head a few times as he gave clear answers to the judge’s questions.
Roske will remain in custody following the arraignment with a trial date set for Aug. 23 and faces life in prison.
