Accused assassin defends himself in trial next week

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(The Center Square) – Ryan Routh, North Carolinian and resident of Hawaii charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump during the last campaign season, begins his defense Monday in a Florida federal courtroom.

Routh is defending himself, with court-appointed lawyers nearby and on standby. Judge Aileen Cannon is on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Fort Pierce.

Prosecutors say the suspect was going to attempt take the life of Trump, eventual winner of the presidency over then-Vice President Kamala Harris, as he golfed on a Sunday afternoon. The Sept. 15 incident came 65 days after a shooter on a roof struck Trump’s ear with a bullet in Butler, Pa.

Security agents for Trump encountered Routh prior to the golf group reaching the area. Routh is accused of raising a rifle, leading to a shot from agents, a short vehicle chase and the suspect’s apprehension.

Cannon in July granted Routh the ability to defend himself at trial. She laid out logistics, including attire and movements, on Tuesday. Routh has filed court documents challenging the president to a round of golf and a fight while in shackles; for the former, he said if he loses Trump can execute him.

Jury selection is Monday and the trial with four weeks reserved on the calendar is expected to begin on Thursday.

Routh is a construction worker by trade from Greensboro. He’s been outspoken on world conflict, inclusive of the countries of Ukraine, Afghanistan, Moldova, Taiwan and Russia. The Center Square confirmed he participated in the Super Tuesday primaries in 2024 from the North Carolina State Board of Elections website, and in Hawaii’s 2024 elections through the Office of the City Clerk for the city and county of Honolulu.

Routh pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations. His past includes barricading himself from officers in Greensboro in 2002 after eluding a traffic stop and owning a warehouse in 2010 where police found more than 100 stolen building supply items.

Sentences previously did not include jail time.