Trial initiation for Ryan Routh, individual charged with attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a golf course, slated for today.
In a courtroom in an undisclosed location, the highly anticipated trial of Ryan Routh is set to begin on Monday, with opening statements expected on Sept. 11. Routh, a North Carolina resident, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations.
According to the Justice Department, Routh's alleged plot to harm President Trump dates back to weeks prior. The department states that Routh sought to purchase a .50 caliber rifle, which would have been more destructive than the Chinese-made SKS rifle he allegedly acquired. This rifle was sold to him by Jacob Cooper and Jacob Oxendine in August, as per the department's claims.
The sale took place at a roofing company in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Cooper worked for Oxendine at the time. Routh allegedly paid $350 cash for the SKS rifle and $100 to Cooper for helping to arrange the sale.
Routh's court filings contain rants about Mr. Trump and international affairs, and he has suggested trading evidence for a subpoena of Mr. Trump and even suggesting "a round of golf with the racist pig." His account on X (formerly Twitter) has been suspended, and it included posts about Mr. Trump.
Two people have been charged with selling the gun to Routh, but they claim they did not have any advance knowledge of his alleged plans. Routh's criminal record includes charges from the 1990s for writing bad checks, a 2002 felony charge for possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and misdemeanors including a hit-and-run offense, resisting arrest, and a concealed weapons violation.
Despite his criminal history, Routh's son, Oren Routh, stated that his father was a good person, hard worker, and non-violent. However, prosecutors claim Routh aimed a rifle at a Secret Service agent before being stopped, and they allege that he had methodically plotted to kill President Trump.
Prosecutors also claim that Routh attempted to acquire an anti-aircraft weapon to shoot down Mr. Trump's plane. If found guilty, Routh faces significant penalties for his alleged actions.
The trial promises to be a significant event, shedding light on the alleged plot and the actions of those involved. As the case unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, providing a clearer picture of the events leading up to the alleged attempted assassination.
