Ryan Routh to represent himself in Trump assassination attempt trial
Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Ryan Routh Accused of Plotting to Assassinate President Trump
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Jury selection started on Monday in Fort Pierce, Fla., for the federal trial of Ryan Routh, who is facing charges of planning to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024.
The selection process is expected to conclude by Wednesday.
Prospective jurors are being chosen from voter rolls and driver’s license records in the Southern District of Florida. They are then questioned under oath in a process called voir dire to ensure fairness and impartiality. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida is leading the prosecution.
Both prosecutors and Routh, who is representing himself, will directly question potential jurors, creating an unusual dynamic that could add unpredictability to the proceedings.
Challenges in Jury Selection
Both parties have the right to challenge jurors “for cause” if bias is evident. They also have a limited number of peremptory strikes to dismiss jurors without providing a reason, as long as it is not discriminatory.
A 12-person jury, along with alternates, will be selected. A unanimous verdict is required for conviction according to federal law.
Routh is facing charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun violations. If found guilty, he could potentially face a life sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges, as well as separate state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.
It is important to note that President Trump is not a defendant in this case.
Background of the Case
Prosecutors allege that Routh spent weeks planning the attack, even camping near Trump’s golf course with a rifle. A Secret Service agent noticed the weapon and fired at Routh when he aimed at him, causing Routh to drop the gun and flee. Investigators later found a letter addressed to “Dear World,” where Routh expressed regret for failing to kill Trump. Court documents also suggest that Routh was attempting to acquire anti-aircraft weapons and hire someone to monitor Trump’s flights before his arrest in August 2024.
Upcoming Trial Proceedings
Opening statements are scheduled to begin on September 11, and the trial is anticipated to last two weeks.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump administration for comment on the ongoing trial.
