Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Ryan Routh Convicted of Trying to Assassinate President Trump at Florida Golf Course

Jurors found premeditation proven through surveillance, digital forensics, DNA links, and a handwritten note.

Overview

  • After roughly two hours of deliberation, a federal jury found Routh guilty on all five counts, exposing him to a potential life sentence, with sentencing set for December 18.
  • Moments after the verdict, Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen before marshals restrained and shackled him in the courtroom.
  • Prosecutors tied Routh to an SKS-style rifle and a concealed shooting position through cellphone data, bank records, burner phones, fingerprint and DNA matches, and a 'Dear World' note declaring an assassination attempt.
  • Routh represented himself, called only a firearms expert and two character witnesses, declined to testify, and was repeatedly reined in by Judge Aileen Cannon for straying from the evidence.
  • Evidence at trial recounted a Secret Service agent spotting a rifle barrel near the sixth hole on Sept. 15, 2024, firing at Routh as he fled, and authorities arresting him shortly afterward; related state terrorism and attempted murder charges remain pending.