Overview

• Representing himself, Routh called three witnesses — a firearms expert and two character witnesses — and concluded his case in roughly half a day.
• Defense expert Michael McClay said the SKS rifle jammed on a second shot during testing and that a taped-and-glued scope would likely be ineffective, though the weapon still functioned as a semi-automatic.
• U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon earlier rejected Routh’s motion for acquittal at the close of the government’s case.
• Prosecutors rested Friday after seven days and 38 witnesses, presenting phone, surveillance, financial and forensic evidence, plus a handwritten letter they describe as a confession, along with a Secret Service agent’s account that Routh aimed a rifle before dropping it and fleeing when fired upon.
• Routh has pleaded not guilty to five federal counts including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assault on a federal officer, and a conviction could carry a life sentence.