Man accused of trying to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh pleads not guilty

The California man accused of threatening to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh outside his Maryland home pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

Nicholas Roske, 26, faces life in prison if convicted of attempting to assassinate a justice of the United States.

On June 8, just before 1 a.m., Roske, dressed in black and carrying a suitcase and a backpack, got out of a cab near Kavanaugh’s Chevy Chase home and crossed paths with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed outside, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Daily News.

The California man then allegedly turned away and walked down a side street where he called 911 and reported that he was having suicidal thoughts, had a gun in his bag and had come to kill a justice, without identifying Kavanaugh by name, prosecutors said.

© Andrew Harnik Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (Andrew Harnik/)

Video: Man charged with attempted murder of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh (Reuters)

Man charged with attempted murder of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh

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During Roske’s arrest, Montgomery County police found a black tactical chest rig, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines, ammunition, a knife, pepper spray, zip ties and duct tape inside his backpack.

Last week’s federal indictment sought the forfeiture of a firearm, two magazines each loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, 17 rounds of ammunition in a plastic bag and other items that police believe Roske planned to use in his assassination attempt.

Roske allegedly told investigators that he was “upset” about the Supreme Court’s expected decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and roll back abortion rights across the country. He also said he believed that Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun-control laws despite the recent mass shootings, according to the arrest affidavit.

The jury trial is set to begin on Aug. 23.