Ryan Routh appears in a photo taken Sept. 15, 2024, in Martin County, Florida, shortly after police arrested him for trying to kill Donald Trump. On Tuesday, a jury found him guilty on all charges. (The Associated Press)
A man who tried to kill Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course has been found guilty.
On Tuesday, a jury of 12 people took only two hours to reach their verdict. They found Ryan Routh guilty on every charge. The courtroom turned tense as soon as the decision was read.
As the jurors were leaving, Routh suddenly grabbed a pen and tried to stab himself in the neck. Court officers rushed over and stopped him. They carried him out of the courtroom. Moments later, they brought him back in, now in shackles and without his suit jacket. His shirt had no blood.
The judge set Routh’s sentencing for December 18. He could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Routh Faced Several Serious Charges
Routh faced multiple charges. These included trying to assassinate a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and owning illegal weapons. He also had a gun with the serial number removed. Routh had a criminal record and was not allowed to own firearms.
He pleaded not guilty and decided to defend himself in court. He chose not to testify but called three witnesses: a gun expert and two people who spoke about his character. His defence lasted just three hours. The Crown, however, brought 38 witnesses over seven days.
Plot to Kill Trump
Crown lawyers said Routh had planned the attack for weeks. On September 15, 2024, he hid in bushes near the sixth hole of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach. He pointed a rifle at Trump as he walked by.
During closing arguments, Routh told the jury he never planned to shoot. “It’s hard for me to believe a crime happened if the trigger was never pulled,” he said.
He added that if he truly wanted to hurt someone, he could have shot a Secret Service agent who confronted him that day.
Quick Arrest After Gunfire
A Secret Service officer testified he saw Routh before Trump appeared. When Routh aimed the rifle, the officer fired first. Routh dropped the gun and ran.
A witness nearby heard the gunshots and saw someone fleeing. Police flew that witness by helicopter to a highway, where Routh had been arrested. The witness confirmed Routh was the same man.
Routh’s trial judge approved his request to represent himself earlier this summer, after confirming he understood the legal risks.
Other Charges Still Pending
Besides this case, Routh also faces state charges for terrorism and attempted murder. His name was already known to authorities due to his long criminal history. A Ukrainian soldier had also said Routh once tried to join a group recruiting fighters.
This was the second attempt on Trump’s life in just a few months. Nine weeks before the golf course incident, another man shot at Trump during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. One bullet hit Trump’s ear. That shooter was killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Government Reacts
Attorney General Pam Bondi called the guilty verdict a win for justice. She said, “This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation.”
Routh now waits for his sentence, which could mean life behind bars.
