A Florida jury on Tuesday discovered Ryan Routh responsible of an assassination try in opposition to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Routh represented himself within the trial. He was discovered responsible of all 5 prices, which included tried assassination of a significant presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.
Routh was arrested in September 2024 at Mr. Trump’s golf course. A Secret Service agent testified final week that he noticed Routh earlier than the then-presidential candidate got here into view. Routh aimed his rifle on the agent, who opened fireplace, inflicting Routh to drop his weapon and flee with out firing a shot, the agent mentioned.
After the decision was learn, Routh apparently tried to hurt himself, presumably utilizing a pen that was on his desk, to stab himself within the neck. U.S. marshals ultimately tackled him.
It was the second assassination try in opposition to Mr. Trump in 2024, after pictures had been fired in a separate incident at a Pennsylvania rally. A bullet grazed Mr. Trump’s ear in that incident.
Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi mentioned in a press release that the responsible verdict in opposition to Routh “illustrates the Division of Justice’s dedication to punishing those that interact in political violence,” and Deputy Lawyer Normal Todd Blanche mentioned the decision sends “a transparent message” that an “try and assassinate a presidential candidate is an assault on our Republic and on the rights of each citizen.”
A federal district decide will decide his sentence. He faces life in jail.
In an almost hourlong closing argument on Tuesday, Routh mentioned that there was no intent to kill as a result of the set off was by no means pulled, the gun was by no means fired and that nobody was harm so, he mentioned “no crime.”
“I needed to kill, my actions throughout the group and towards my co-workers and household ought to present my apparent non-violence and gentleness,” Routh mentioned. Talking within the third individual, he mentioned the taking pictures was by no means going to occur as a result of it was “by no means in his coronary heart.”
However prosecutors mentioned Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Mr. Trump, who was then working for president. Prosecutors additionally alleged in court docket filings that Routh tried to accumulate an anti-aircraft weapon to shoot down Mr. Trump’s aircraft.
Daniel Shepherd contributed to this report.
contributed to this report.
