Woman Sentenced to Eight Years After Plot to Kill Brett Kavanaugh

A woman who pleaded guilty to trying to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison. 29-year-old Sophie Roske was in front of Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland in 2022 and made plans to assassinate him and then kill herself. The judge sentenced her Friday in federal court with members of both family’s listening and some crying. She had on the yellow jail jumpsuit.

Courtroom Apology and Judge’s Sentence Roske said she was deeply sorry to Kavanaugh and all she did was “disgusting, shameful and sick.” She said her judgment was impaired by drugs and being in her own hell and lost mental state Judge Deborah Boardman sentenced Roske to 97 months and supervised release for the rest of her life. The judge also took into account that Roske accepted some responsibility.

Courtroom Apology and Judge’s Sentence

During the court hearing a recording of Roske’s emotional 911 call. In it, Roske admitted she brought a hand gun, knife and various weapons from California and was suicidal and feeling ashamed of herself. She said the call from her sister was a “burst of hope.”

Prosecutors vs Defense Assistant U.S. Attorney Coreen Mao said Roske’s attempt to kill Kavanaugh was premeditated and mentioned nine weapon purchases were made, including looking up serial killers and mass shooting. She argued the killing was prevented because of U.S. Marshals being stationed outside Kavanaugh’s home all week.

But Roske’s attorney argued she changed her mind on the way and turned herself in. The defense said the government failed to see how important the 911 call was. Her parents also spoke, they said what happened is completely out of character for Roske.

Political and Gender Identity

The Reuters report stated that Roske was passionate about her political beliefs and was enraged over the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and enraged about the school shooting in Uvalde. She felt tract to Kavanaugh would lean toward relaxing gun laws.

The court also discussed Roske and her gender identity. She was indicted under her previous name, but she now identifies as a transgender woman. Judge Boardman said Roske is going to be in male federal institution who considered that in handing down her sentence. The legal challenges surrounding transgender localities makes this more robust.

The sentence was below the thirty (30) year recommendation that prosecutors sought, but it may be among the most serious sentences imposed for a politically motivated attack on a Justice.