Introduction to the Case
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course last year tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen shortly after being found guilty of all counts on Tuesday. Officers quickly swarmed him and dragged him out of the courtroom. The jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts he was facing after about two hours of deliberation.
The Verdict and Aftermath
The jurors were on their way out of the courtroom after the verdict was announced when Routh grabbed a pen off a desk and tried to stab himself in the neck. As marshals were dragging him from the courtroom, Routh’s daughter, Sara Routh, began screaming, “Dad I love you, don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody.” She continued screaming as her father was taken from the courtroom, saying the case against him was rigged. She later went outside the courthouse, where she waited by a guard gate for her father to be driven away.
Sentencing and Charges
Back inside the courtroom, Routh was brought back before the judge. He was no longer wearing a jacket and tie, and was shackled. There were no signs of blood on his shirt. The judge announced Routh will be sentenced on Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m. He faces life in prison. Routh had been charged with attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The Trial and Defense
Routh had pleaded not guilty to the charges and defended himself in court. Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. Routh told jurors in his closing argument that he didn’t intend to kill anyone that day. “It’s hard for me to believe that a crime occurred if the trigger was never pulled,” Routh said. He pointed out that he could see Trump as he was on the path toward the sixth-hole green at the golf course and noted that he also could have shot a Secret Service agent who confronted him if he had intended to harm anyone.
Reaction from Authorities
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that the guilty verdict “illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.” “This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation,” Bondi said. “This verdict sends a clear message. An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate is an attack on our Republic and on the rights of every citizen,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.
Background of the Accused
Routh, 59, exercised his constitutional right not to testify in his own defense. He rested his case Monday morning after questioning just three witnesses — a firearms expert and two character witnesses — for a total of about three hours. In contrast, prosecutors spent seven days questioning 38 witnesses. Routh was a North Carolina construction worker who in recent years had moved to Hawaii. A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous and sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press.
Previous Incidents
In the early days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Routh tried to recruit soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan to fight the Russians. In his native Greensboro, N.C., he was arrested in 2002 for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself from officers with a fully automatic machine gun and a “weapon of mass destruction,” which turned out to be an explosive with a 10-inch fuse, police said. In 2010, police searched a warehouse Routh owned and found more than 100 stolen items, from power tools and building supplies to kayaks and spa tubs. In both felony cases, judges gave Routh either probation or a suspended sentence.
Conclusion
The case of Ryan Routh, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course, has come to a close with a guilty verdict on all counts. Routh’s actions have been condemned by authorities, and he faces life in prison. The incident highlights the importance of protecting public figures and the need for swift justice in cases of political violence.
FAQs
Q: What were the charges against Ryan Routh?
A: Routh was charged with attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Q: How did Routh react to the guilty verdict?
A: Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen after the verdict was announced.
Q: What is the possible sentence for Routh?
A: Routh faces life in prison.
Q: What was Routh’s defense strategy?
A: Routh defended himself in court and claimed he did not intend to kill anyone.
Q: What was the reaction of authorities to the guilty verdict?
A: Authorities condemned Routh’s actions and stated that the verdict sends a clear message that attempts to assassinate presidential candidates will not be tolerated.
Q: What is Routh’s background?
A: Routh is a 59-year-old North Carolina construction worker who has a history of violent and dangerous behavior.
Q: What other incidents has Routh been involved in?
A: Routh has been involved in several incidents, including attempting to recruit soldiers to fight in Ukraine and being arrested for eluding a traffic stop and possessing a weapon of mass destruction.
<img style="aspect-ratio:190 / 127" class="dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-related-story-module2UraD flex-none object-cover dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain dmnc_images-modern-image-module__P3kZ4 w-full" width="190" height="127" src="https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6O4DAT4ENNCWHNJA446AOYYZ7I.jpg?auth=633f929b8a38f2215d1e89c63340e25648542279ea42b9b1531ed109d328df3b&quality=80&height=127&width
