Man accused of attempting assassinate President-elect Donald Trump will not go on trial until September 2025 near West Palm Beach, a federal judge ruled this week in Fort Pierce.
Ryan Wesley RuthThe trial will begin Sept. 8, 2025, instead of the previously scheduled Feb. 10, 2025 start date, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said in an order issued Monday.
Routh, 58, a Hawaiian resident. pleaded not guilty.
Routh’s attorney asked the judge: postpone trial He said he needed more time to review the evidence against him and decide whether to enter an insanity defense, no later than December of next year.
Routh’s attorneys argued at a hearing two weeks ago in Fort Pierce, Fla., that Routh was in possession of 17 cell phones and numerous other electronic devices, and that hundreds of hours of police body camera and surveillance video had been provided to the defendant.
In her order, Cannon said she wanted to err on the side of giving more time. the seriousness of the suspicionBut starting clinical trials before December would be excessive. She said the September trial date did not amount to an “unreasonable delay.”
The judge said any insanity defense or requests related to Routh’s mental competency must be made by early February. A visit to the site of the assassination attempt must occur by the end of February.
Prosecutors said Ruth had been systematically plotting to kill Trump for weeks. Aiming a rifle through the bushes When Trump played golf at West Palm Beach Country Club on September 15, 2024. Before Trump could be seen, Routh was discovered by Secret Service agents. Routh pointed his rifle at the agent who opened fire, and Routh dropped the weapon and ran away without firing a shot. Prosecutors said he left a note stating his intentions.
He was arrested a short time later while driving on a nearby highway.
Luce, who is accused of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, could face life in prison if convicted. Other charges include assaulting a federal officer and three firearms counts. He is currently being held without bail in a federal prison in Miami.
Routh was arrested. Two months after Trump was shot His ear was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. that Secret Service admits failure Despite the shooting, he said security was in place to prevent a potential Florida attack.
