Overview

• Representing himself, Routh called three witnesses in a brief defense, including a firearms expert who said the SKS-style rifle jammed on a second shot during testing and a scope had been taped and glued.
• U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon warned Routh to keep his closing tied to trial evidence after previously cutting short his off-topic opening statement.
• Prosecutors rested Friday after seven days and 38 witnesses, presenting cellphone data, surveillance footage, bank records, and forensic links such as DNA and fingerprints to tie Routh to the rifle and planning.
• A Secret Service agent testified he spotted Routh aiming from shrubbery near the sixth hole, fired, and Routh dropped the weapon and fled before being arrested on Interstate 95.
• Routh has pleaded not guilty to attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearm offenses, with separate state charges of attempted murder and terrorism also pending.