Ryan Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Trump in Florida, won’t be tried until September 8. The trial had been scheduled for Feb. 10. Attorneys for Routh, 58, had asked Judge Aileen Cannon to delay the trial until no earlier than next December, saying they needed more time to review the evidence against him and decide whether to mount an insanity defense, the Associated Press reports. Routh owned 17 cellphones and other electronic devices, and there are hundreds of hours of police body camera and surveillance videos that have been provided to the defense, Routh’s attorneys said.
Cannon said she wanted to err on the side of providing more time given the seriousness of the allegations, but that starting the trial no earlier than December would be excessive. A September trial didn’t amount to an “unreasonable delay,” she said. Cannon said that any insanity defense or any request related to Routh’s mental competency must be made by early February. Any visit to the scene of the assassination attempt must be made by the end of February. Prosecutors say Routh plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024 at his West Palm Beach country club. Before Trump came into view, Routh was spotted by a Secret Service agent. Routh allegedly aimed at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his rifle and flee without firing a shot. Prosecutors say he left behind a note describing his intentions. He was arrested driving on a nearby interstate.
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