The jury was selected in a few hours and the case will be closely followed in the US presidential campaign. The Prosecutor’s Office seeks to demonstrate that the defendant planned the attack months in advance.
Monday will begin in Fort Pierce, Florida, the trial against Ryan Routhpointed out for trying to kill Donald Trump while the former president played golf in September 2024. The process will be in charge of the judge Aileen Cannon and it is expected to last up to four weeks.
The first stage of the trial will be dedicated to the jury selection, which could take three days. Three groups of 60 people will be summoned until defining 12 holders and four substitutes. Once that step is over, the initial allegations would be scheduled for Thursday, after which the Prosecutor’s Office will expose their arguments.
The accused profile
Routh59, He worked in construction and in recent years he moved to Hawaii. HE proclaimed “mercenary leader” And, according to witnesses, he talked openly about violent plans to intervene in international conflicts. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine he even tried to recruit Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan fighters.
The defendant accumulate a criminal history: In 2002 he was arrested in North Carolina after being entrenched with an automatic machine gun and an explosive; In 2010, the police found in a warehouse of their property more than 100 stolen articles, from kayaks to Jacuzzis. In both cases he obtained probation.
Own representation at the trial
Judge Cannon, nominated for the position in 2020 by Trump, authorized Routh to represent himself, although he must have assistance of lawyers designated as support. “It’s a bad idea,” the magistrate warned him in July, but the defendant insisted on his decision.
Cannon established that Routh will wear formal suit during the audiences and can use the podium to interrogate witnesses. He also clarified that the Sheriffs will intervene “immediately” if he performs sudden movements.
The defendant faces Five serious federal charges: Attempt to murder of a presidential candidate, possession of a firearm to commit a violent crime, aggression to a federal agent, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition for being a convict criminal, and possession of a weapon with erased serial number. At the state level, also He declared himself innocent of terrorism and attempt to murder.
The frustrated attack
The episode occurred in West Palm Beach. While Trump played golfSecret Service Agents observed in the distance An AK -style rifle leaving among the bushes, about 360 meters. One of them shot and Routh left the gun, along with backpacks, a telescopic peephole and a GoPro camera, before escaping in a truck. He was arrested shortly after in a neighboring county.
Trump was unharmed and no shot against him came. The attempt occurred just nine weeks after the then candidate survived another attack during an act in Pennsylvania.
Source: Ambito
