FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — 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 courthouse.
The jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts after 2 hours of deliberation. Just after the verdict was announced and jurors exited, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck. His daughter, Sara Routh, was heard screaming, 'Dad I love you don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody,' as the tumult unfolded.
Routh faced serious charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, and despite pleading not guilty, he defended himself in court without calling significant witnesses. He claimed he did not intend to kill anyone that day, arguing the absence of any gunfire indicated his lack of malicious intent.
The attempted assassination incident occurred as Routh allegedly was plotting to kill Trump and aimed a rifle from shrubbery while the former president played golf on Sept. 15, 2024. Prosecutors remarked that Routh's actions not only represented violence aimed at a political figure but also constituted an attack against the nation itself, with calls for accountability underscoring the serious nature of the verdict.
Routh's past includes a history of criminal behavior, and he previously attempted to recruit soldiers amidst geopolitical conflicts, highlighting concerns about his violent tendencies and mental health. Judge Aileen Cannon allowed Routh to represent himself in his defense, despite advisories from standby counsel who were present during the trial as he navigated the charges.
The jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts after 2 hours of deliberation. Just after the verdict was announced and jurors exited, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck. His daughter, Sara Routh, was heard screaming, 'Dad I love you don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody,' as the tumult unfolded.
Routh faced serious charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, and despite pleading not guilty, he defended himself in court without calling significant witnesses. He claimed he did not intend to kill anyone that day, arguing the absence of any gunfire indicated his lack of malicious intent.
The attempted assassination incident occurred as Routh allegedly was plotting to kill Trump and aimed a rifle from shrubbery while the former president played golf on Sept. 15, 2024. Prosecutors remarked that Routh's actions not only represented violence aimed at a political figure but also constituted an attack against the nation itself, with calls for accountability underscoring the serious nature of the verdict.
Routh's past includes a history of criminal behavior, and he previously attempted to recruit soldiers amidst geopolitical conflicts, highlighting concerns about his violent tendencies and mental health. Judge Aileen Cannon allowed Routh to represent himself in his defense, despite advisories from standby counsel who were present during the trial as he navigated the charges.
