A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the trial for Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, will be delayed until September 2025. Originally scheduled to begin in February 2025, Routh’s trial will now start on Sept. 8, as per the order released by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaii resident, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Routh’s attorneys requested a delay in the trial until at least December, citing the need for more time to review the evidence against him and determine whether to mount an insanity defense. They argued that the vast amount of electronic devices owned by Routh and the hours of police body camera and surveillance videos provided to the defense required additional time. Judge Cannon agreed to provide more time for preparation but deemed a December start date excessive, ultimately setting the trial for September.
The judge specified that any defense related to Routh’s mental competency or an insanity defense must be presented by early February. Additionally, any visit to the scene of the assassination attempt must be completed by the end of February. Prosecutors allege that Routh carefully planned the assassination attempt for weeks before aiming a rifle at Trump while he was playing golf at his West Palm Beach country club. However, before Trump was in sight, Routh was confronted by a Secret Service agent, causing him to flee without firing a shot.
Routh was arrested shortly after attempting to escape while driving on a nearby interstate. The charge of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate carries a potential life sentence if Routh is convicted. In addition to this charge, he is also facing accusations of assaulting a federal officer and three firearms counts. Routh is currently being held without bail at the federal jail in Miami. His arrest followed another attempted assassination on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot and wounded in the ear. The Secret Service acknowledged prior failings leading up to the shooting but maintained that security measures were effective in thwarting the potential attack in Florida.
As the trial date approaches, the case against Ryan Routh, including the evidence presented and any potential defense strategies, will continue to unfold. The delay in the trial provides more time for both the prosecution and defense to prepare their arguments, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive examination of the allegations against Routh. The decision to delay the trial until September 2025 highlights the gravity of the charges and the complexity of the case, underscoring the importance of a fair and just legal process. Follow Mike Schneider on social media for further updates on this developing story.
