A jury on Tuesday found Ryan Routh guilty of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club last year. After two hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury — five men and seven women — delivered a unanimous verdict on all charges, as reported by Associated Press.
Routh, 59, faced multiple federal counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, unlawful firearm possession during a violent crime, assault on a federal officer, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon with removed serial numbers. He conducted his own defence throughout the trial, maintaining his innocence.
Prosecutors said Routh had meticulously planned the attack for weeks before positioning himself with a rifle in the bushes as Trump played golf on September 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach club.
During his closing statement, Routh argued against criminal intent, saying: “It's hard for me to believe that a crime occurred if the trigger was never pulled.” He added that he had a clear view of Trump on the sixth-hole green and highlighted that he did not shoot at a Secret Service agent who approached him.
Routh chose not to testify and presented only three witnesses — a firearms specialist and two character references — over three hours. In contrast, the prosecution presented 38 witnesses over seven days.
Soon after the verdict, Trump took too social media hailing the verdict and his aides for 'meticulously handling the trial' along with the judiciary. "Congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the entire DOJ team on the conviction, in Florida, of the person who attempted an assassination on my life. The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience," he said.
"This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him. I would also like to thank the Secret Service, Department of Florida Law Enforcement, and the wonderful person who spotted him running from the site of the crime, and acted by following him, and getting all information on car type and license plate to the Sheriff’s Office, IMMEDIATELY, which led to his arrest and conviction. What incredible instinct and foresight this person had — A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA!" Trump added.
Attorney General Pam Bondi lauded the ruling on X, stating: “This illustrates the Department of Justice's commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.”
Judge Aileen Cannon had approved Routh’s self-representation following July hearings, while his previous lawyers served as standby counsel during the two-week trial.
A Secret Service agent testified that he intercepted Routh before Trump appeared. Routh aimed his weapon at the agent, who fired first, causing him to drop the rifle and flee without firing at the former president. A witness later helped authorities identify and locate Routh, who was arrested near the interstate after fleeing the scene.
The shooting incident came just nine weeks after another assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump survived a bullet grazing his ear, and the assailant was killed by the Secret Service.
Meanwhile, Routh, originally from North Carolina and later living in Hawaii, had a history of involvement in international conflicts and previous legal issues. He had attempted to recruit fighters for Ukraine against Russia and faced earlier arrests in Greensboro, North Carolina, for weapons-related incidents.
Alongside the federal charges, Routh faces additional state charges of terrorism and attempted murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Routh, 59, faced multiple federal counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, unlawful firearm possession during a violent crime, assault on a federal officer, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon with removed serial numbers. He conducted his own defence throughout the trial, maintaining his innocence.
Prosecutors said Routh had meticulously planned the attack for weeks before positioning himself with a rifle in the bushes as Trump played golf on September 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach club.
During his closing statement, Routh argued against criminal intent, saying: “It's hard for me to believe that a crime occurred if the trigger was never pulled.” He added that he had a clear view of Trump on the sixth-hole green and highlighted that he did not shoot at a Secret Service agent who approached him.
Routh chose not to testify and presented only three witnesses — a firearms specialist and two character references — over three hours. In contrast, the prosecution presented 38 witnesses over seven days.
Soon after the verdict, Trump took too social media hailing the verdict and his aides for 'meticulously handling the trial' along with the judiciary. "Congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the entire DOJ team on the conviction, in Florida, of the person who attempted an assassination on my life. The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience," he said.
"This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him. I would also like to thank the Secret Service, Department of Florida Law Enforcement, and the wonderful person who spotted him running from the site of the crime, and acted by following him, and getting all information on car type and license plate to the Sheriff’s Office, IMMEDIATELY, which led to his arrest and conviction. What incredible instinct and foresight this person had — A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA!" Trump added.
Attorney General Pam Bondi lauded the ruling on X, stating: “This illustrates the Department of Justice's commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.”
Judge Aileen Cannon had approved Routh’s self-representation following July hearings, while his previous lawyers served as standby counsel during the two-week trial.
A Secret Service agent testified that he intercepted Routh before Trump appeared. Routh aimed his weapon at the agent, who fired first, causing him to drop the rifle and flee without firing at the former president. A witness later helped authorities identify and locate Routh, who was arrested near the interstate after fleeing the scene.
The shooting incident came just nine weeks after another assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump survived a bullet grazing his ear, and the assailant was killed by the Secret Service.
Meanwhile, Routh, originally from North Carolina and later living in Hawaii, had a history of involvement in international conflicts and previous legal issues. He had attempted to recruit fighters for Ukraine against Russia and faced earlier arrests in Greensboro, North Carolina, for weapons-related incidents.
Alongside the federal charges, Routh faces additional state charges of terrorism and attempted murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
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