Ryan Routh has been sentenced to life in prison for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in September of 2024. Routh, 59, was found guilty last year of trying to kill Trump while he was still a presidential candidate at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. A US Secret Service agent in the area spotted a rifle barrel poking out of the bushes and fired at Routh, who then fled the scene and was arrested shortly thereafter.
In a sentencing memorandum, Judge Aileen Cannon stated that Routh's crimes 'undeniably warrant a life sentence.' She noted, '[H]e took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major Presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims.' Routh's lawyer, Martin Ross, indicated intentions to appeal the case.
Routh pleaded not guilty and represented himself during the trial. He displayed erratic behavior in court, including challenging Trump to a game of golf and making bizarre references to historical figures. Following his conviction, Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen before being subdued.
During the proceedings, prosecutors presented a 'mountain of evidence' indicating Routh's close proximity to executing the assassination. While it was established that he didn’t have a clear line of sight to Trump, authorities recovered a semiautomatic rifle with a scope and plans detailing Trump's potential appearances. The incident was reported as the second assassination attempt on Trump in 2024, following a gunman opening fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in one death and several injuries, including Trump himself.
In a sentencing memorandum, Judge Aileen Cannon stated that Routh's crimes 'undeniably warrant a life sentence.' She noted, '[H]e took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major Presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims.' Routh's lawyer, Martin Ross, indicated intentions to appeal the case.
Routh pleaded not guilty and represented himself during the trial. He displayed erratic behavior in court, including challenging Trump to a game of golf and making bizarre references to historical figures. Following his conviction, Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen before being subdued.
During the proceedings, prosecutors presented a 'mountain of evidence' indicating Routh's close proximity to executing the assassination. While it was established that he didn’t have a clear line of sight to Trump, authorities recovered a semiautomatic rifle with a scope and plans detailing Trump's potential appearances. The incident was reported as the second assassination attempt on Trump in 2024, following a gunman opening fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in one death and several injuries, including Trump himself.
