Photo: NICOLAS GARCIA / AFP / Getty Images
Palm Beach County, FL - Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in September 2024, concluded his defense on Monday without testifying.
Representing himself, Routh questioned a firearms expert and two character witnesses for three hours before resting his case.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon confirmed that Routh did not wish to testify. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, followed by jury deliberations.
Prosecutors allege that Routh spent weeks planning the attack.
On September 15th, 2024, he allegedly aimed a rifle through bushes at Trump while he played golf.
A Secret Service agent testified that he saw Routh before Trump arrived, fired at him, and caused Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing.
Firearms expert Michael McClay testified that Routh would have had a view of the sixth green from his position.
McClay said that a scope found at the scene had been mounted with tape and glue, likely making it ineffective.
During a test, Routh’s rifle jammed after one shot, indicating he may not have been able to fire multiple rounds.
Two character witnesses described Routh as peaceful, but admitted they had not seen him in years.
Routh faces federal charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors presented evidence from 38 witnesses over seven days before resting their case.
The trial, held at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse, has proceeded faster than expected due to Routh’s concise defense.
Routh has a criminal history in North Carolina, including a 2002 incident involving a fully automatic weapon and an explosive device.