A federal judge is scheduled to determine on Wednesday whether Ryan Wesley Routh, 60, should spend the remainder of his life in federal prison after being convicted for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to ABC. Prosecutors are urging the court to impose a life sentence, arguing that Routh meticulously planned the attack and took significant steps to carry it out, demonstrating a willingness to kill anyone in his path and showing no remorse for his actions.
Routh was found guilty last year on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer, following a two-and-a-half-week trial. During the incident, Routh allegedly hid in bushes at the Trump International Golf Club and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle at Trump and a Secret Service agent. Prosecutors emphasized that his actions reflected extensive premeditation and a blatant disregard for human life, claiming that Routh’s motivation was to prevent the American electorate from choosing their preferred presidential candidate.
Representing himself at trial, Routh attempted to frame his actions as a political protest against the former president’s policies. However, immediately after the guilty verdict, he tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen in front of the jury and had to be forcibly restrained. Following his conviction, Routh retained legal counsel and requested a reduced sentence of 27 years, arguing that representing himself denied him a fair trial. His lawyer stated that Routh was unable to effectively confront witnesses, present exhibits, or introduce evidence to demonstrate a lack of intent to cause harm.
In his bid for a lighter sentence, Routh submitted character letters and underwent a psychiatric evaluation, which noted he suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar II disorder. Among the letters, one from Kyiv resident Darya Trotsenko praised Routh as a community asset and described him as a devoted father and partner who deserved the chance to return home and contribute positively to society.
Prosecutors countered that Routh has shown little remorse, citing writings in which he referenced a previous attempt on Trump’s life and expressed a wish for Trump to personally punish him. In one filing, Routh suggested that the former president could “put on the handcuffs and shackles and give it your worst” without involving law enforcement.
Sentencing will take place in a federal courtroom in Fort Pierce, Florida, before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump and previously dismissed a criminal case against him related to classified documents. Routh’s attempt to have Judge Cannon removed on grounds of conflict of interest was unsuccessful.
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