Man who represented himself is found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course

"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. He 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. 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 characters witnesses for a total of about three hours. In contrast, prosecutors spent seven days questioning 38 witnesses."

A jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts after two hours of deliberation. He was convicted of 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. Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting and aimed a rifle through shrubbery as Donald Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at a West Palm Beach country club. Routh pleaded not guilty, represented himself, exercised his right not to testify, and rested after calling three witnesses while prosecutors presented 38 witnesses over seven days. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the guilty verdict illustrates the Justice Department's commitment to punishing political violence.

Read at www.eastbaytimes.com