Fort Pierce, Florida
—
The opening statement of the person on trial for trying to assassinate Donald Trump final September at a Florida golf course was minimize brief Thursday when the defendant, Ryan Wesley Routh, representing himself within the federal case, took the time meant for addressing trial proof to as an alternative give a meandering rant.
Routh started by asking “what happened to homo erectus” and proceeded to deal with violence in different nations, mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler.
“Putin has murdered 1.5 million and we do nothing,” Routh stated.
Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted Routh after lower than 5 minutes warning him to “stay within the bounds.”
Routh advised the choose his argument facilities on “nonviolence” and stated he may speak concerning the structure.
At one level Routh grew emotional as he continued addressing the jury, crying softly as he spoke of America and invention, mentioning the Wright Brothers’ contributions.
Cannon minimize him off once more, this time ending Routh’s opening statement, and despatched the jury out of the room earlier than admonishing the defendant.
Routh’s statement was a “clear violation of the court’s order” and so “he relinquished his right to conclude his opening statement,” the choose stated.
“Alright, I apologize,” Routh responded.
Routh faces 5 prices, together with tried assassination of a serious presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial quantity.
An appointed lawyer has sat behind the protection desk on standby. Cannon has allowed the lawyer to help Routh on procedural and technical points and might take away Routh as his personal counsel if she deems it vital.
A federal prosecutor gave a extra conventional opening statement, telling the jury concerning the prices in opposition to Routh who allegedly created a “sniper’s nest” one gap away from the place Trump was taking part in golf on September 15, 2024.
“The plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious,” Assistant US Attorney John Shipley stated.
“Last year Ryan Routh wanted to make sure Donald Trump was not elected president,” Shipley added. “He made the choice to try and assassinate Donald Trump.”
Routh illegally purchased a rifle in North Carolina earlier than travelling to West Palm Beach the place he went to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and the close by golf course a number of instances within the weeks earlier than he deliberate to assault Trump, prosecutors allege.
Routh allegedly used three completely different aliases, together with “John White,” to purchase a cellphone in North Carolina and “John Smith” on encrypted platforms to attempt to “track the daily location of Donald Trump’s airplanes,” Shipley stated.
The morning of the assassination try, Routh allegedly checked the climate for rain and made positive the golf recreation was nonetheless on. He set himself hiding close to the golf course not less than 10 hours earlier than he was ultimately noticed by Secret Service, the prosecutor advised the jury.
Routh ready for the lengthy wait, based on Shipley who confirmed the jury Routh’s written “gear list” that included objects like “cardboard, zip ties, diapers” and a reminder “spray self with bug spray.”
The Secret Service agent who noticed Routh whereas scouting the sixth gap of the golf court docket, took the stand because the prosecution’s first witness.
Agent Robert Fercano, who now works for Homeland Security, testified about recognizing Routh, whose gun was pointed at him.
Fercano fired photographs at Routh, who fled to his automobile by no means taking pictures his personal rifle, however was noticed by a civilian who took photographs they shared with regulation enforcement. Routh was stopped on a Florida freeway and arrested about 45 minutes later.
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During cross examination, Routh addressed the federal agent, “Good to see you sir. Is it good to be alive? I’m sure your family is happy you’re alive and well.”
Routh referred to himself as “the defendant” as he questioned Fercano about their interplay on the golf course.
“I got down the path and noticed yourself at the fence line,” Fercano stated.
Routh requested, “Was the defendant fairly concealed?”
“Yes, you were fairly concealed. There was a face, a rifle pointed at my face, and bulletproof shielding.” Fercano added, “After I initiated contact with you, you smiled at me, I moved backwards and drew my service pistol.”
Routh additionally requested the agent, “Did you get harmed in any method that day?
“Physically, no,” Fercano stated. “But mentally I live with having a weapon pointed at my face.”