As the federal felony trial for Ryan Routh enters its second week, the person charged with trying to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump final yr is getting nearer to calling his first witness.
The US attorneys prosecuting Routh anticipate to relaxation their case by the top of the week, and Judge Aileen Cannon has instructed Routh to have his witnesses able to take the stand beginning Friday. Routh, dressed in civilian garments in courtroom, has chosen to represent himself as he faces life in jail.
Routh is anticipated to name not less than 4 witnesses, together with a member of the family and former Marine sniper who test-fired the SKS Soviet-made rifle discovered on the scene of Trump’s golf membership in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
Routh faces 5 prices, together with tried assassination of a significant presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial quantity.
Authorities say the 59-year-old Routh created a “sniper’s nest” close to the sixth gap of the Trump International Golf Club and was camped out not less than 10 hours ready to fireside upon Trump. A Secret Service agent says he noticed Routh and the barrel of his rifle poking via the fence when Trump was one gap away.
Prosecutors have argued that Routh “made the choice to assassinate” Trump in a plot that was “carefully crafted and deadly serious.” The authorities cited quite a few aliases Routh had allegedly used, in addition to the invention of a “gear list” Routh allegedly wrote. It was an inventory of reminders, together with “diapers” and “spray self with bug spray.”
In the primary two days of testimony, prosecutors known as 13 witnesses. The trial is moving at a a lot sooner clip than anticipated, on condition that Routh is representing himself and has spent simply minutes cross-examining the federal government’s witnesses. In truth, prosecutors “ran out of witnesses” on Friday and courtroom was pressured to finish early.
Routh obtained off to a rocky start simply minutes into his opening assertion. As he rambled about genocide and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian chief Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler, Cannon interrupted him, warning she has “limited patience” and he was “not to make a mockery of this courtroom.” Moments later, she reduce him off. “All right, Mr Routh, that will conclude your opening statement.” He apologized and took his seat.
The authorities’s first witness, Secret Service agent Robert Fercano, described being simply 5 toes away from Routh on the golf course, telling the jury how Routh “smiled” and “groaned” earlier than fleeing.
Routh started his temporary cross-examination of Fercano, who now works for the Department of Homeland Security, by saying, “Good to see you, sir. Is it good to be alive? I’m sure your family is happy you’re alive and well.”
Eyewitness Tommy McGee additionally testified for the federal government. He instructed the jury he noticed a “frantic and disheveled” man leaving the scene and determined to comply with him. He took photos of the person’s black Nissan Xterra and wrote down his license plate quantity. McGee alerted authorities, who stopped Routh’s automobile about 45 minutes north on Highway 95. McGee later was dropped at the scene to ID Routh.
On cross-examination, Routh instructed McGee, “You’re a good man. You’re my hero. You’re an American hero.”
He then requested, “Are you a Trump supporter?” which was stricken from document.
FBI agent Catherine Rose provided the jury a firsthand take a look at what investigators say they discovered at Routh’s perch in the bushes. Prosecutors had Rose present the jury the rifle, journal, single bullet allegedly discovered in the chamber, bungee cords, rifle scope, and black tape used to connect the scope to the rifle. She additionally confirmed the jury backpacks and two heavy steel plates that had been inside them, which authorities say Routh was utilizing to guard himself from any incoming hearth. Rose additionally confirmed the GoPro-style digital camera aimed on the sixth gap.
At occasions, Cannon has struggled to speak with Routh, noting after he provided his opinion or pushback that “there was no clear objection.”
When Routh requested Rose concerning the tape on the rifle on cross-examination, she requested to overview the photograph once more. Routh responded, “If you’re asking me, I don’t have it.”
Cannon stepped in and requested the prosecution to supply the photograph to Routh and the witness, which the prosecution did.