Ryan Routh, the person accused of trying to gun down then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course final 12 months, was discovered responsible on all prices Tuesday.
Because the jury was leaving the courtroom, Routh grabbed a pen from a desk and tried to stab himself earlier than marshals stopped him.
Routh’s daughter, Sara Routh, started screaming, “Dad I love you, don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody,” as he was taken out of the courtroom.
Routh returned to the courtroom in shackles not carrying a shirt and tie. His sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Jurors deliberated for about two hours earlier than delivering the decision.
Jury deliberations started Tuesday a day after Routh, who acted as his personal legal professional, rested his case by arguing no crime had been dedicated since he by no means fired a shot.
“The opportunity was there for the defendant to shoot the president, and yet the trigger was never pulled,” he mentioned. “This human being does not have the capability to harm another human being.”
Routh was interrupted by U.S. District Decide Aileen Cannon a number of occasions throughout his closing argument when he strayed to subjects not associated to the case.
On this picture launched by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Workplace, legislation enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a person suspected in an obvious assassination try of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace through AP, File)
Routh, a 59-year-old Hawaii resident, was charged with trying to assassinate a significant presidential candidate, which carries a most penalty of life in jail, and assaulting a federal officer, plus a number of firearm violations, for the Sept. 15, 2024 try at Trump’s West Palm Seashore membership.
He was noticed by Secret Service whereas hiding within the bushes exterior the fence mendacity in wait with a rifle ready for Trump to enter his line of fireside.
An agent fired at Routh, who dropped his weapon and fled the scene with out capturing however was apprehended about 45 minutes later.
The weapon discovered by brokers had a scope hooked up, an prolonged journal and an “obliterated and unreadable” serial quantity, in accordance with the FBI.
Routh had pleaded not responsible to all prices.
Throughout closing arguments, prosecutor Christopher Browne mentioned a observe discovered on Routh proves intent.
“Dear World, This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you,” Routh wrote. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
“This is not a whodunit,” Browne advised the jury.
Routh didn’t testify on his personal behalf. Prosecutors known as 38 witnesses.
The responsible verdict in opposition to Routh “illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence,” U.S. legal professional common Pam Bondi mentioned in an announcement.
The assassination try took place two months after a separate incident the place a number of pictures had been fired at Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, grazing his ear. A bystander and the gunman had been killed.
Initially Revealed: September 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM EDT
