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yesterday

Gun Seller Identifies Rifle, Phone Records Entered as Routh Trial Nears Government Rest

Judge Aileen Cannon has directed the self-represented defendant to have his witnesses ready by Friday.

This courtroom sketch shows lead government prosecutor John Shipley speaking during the opening statements of the during the trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. (Lothar Speer via AP)
This courtroom sketch shows Secret Service agent Robert Fercano holding up the weapon found in the bushes during opening statements in the trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. (Lothar Speer via AP)
This courtroom sketch shows Secret Service agent Robert Fercano identifying the defendant in the trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. (Lothar Speer via AP)
A pickup truck decorated in support of President Donald Trump sits parked outside the Alto Lee Adams Sr. U.S. Courthouse, after the start of jury selection in the trial of Ryan Routh, charged with trying to assassinate Trump while he played golf last year in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Overview

  • Ronnie Jay Oxendine testified he sold Ryan Routh an SKS-style rifle in August 2024 for $350, with $100 paid to intermediary Tina Cooper, as part of a plea deal after a weapons conviction.
  • AT&T employee Aaron Thompson said Routh bought a prepaid line under the name “John White,” and prosecutors described multiple phones tied to the investigation.
  • Two North Carolina brothers said Routh left them a box later found to contain a handwritten letter stating the attempt on President Trump had failed and offering $150,000 to “complete the job,” with the judge limiting how much of the letter jurors could hear.
  • Investigators presented forensic and surveillance evidence including DNA on a rifle grip and items recovered from a South Bay truck stop such as earplugs and empty Vienna sausage cans.
  • Routh apologized to Oxendine in court and offered to take part of his sentence before the judge struck the comment, as prosecutors said they expect to rest Thursday and the defense prepares to call witnesses.