A judge postponed until September 2025 the trial of a man accused of trying to assassinate the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump.
A man accused of trying to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in South Florida will not stand trial until September 2025, a federal judge ruled this week.
Ryan Routh's trial will begin Sept. 8 instead of the previously scheduled start date of Feb. 10, 2025, District Judge Aileen Cannon said in an order issued Monday.
Routh, 58, of Hawaii, has pleaded not guilty.
Routh's lawyers had asked the judge to delay the trial until no earlier than next December, arguing they needed more time to review the evidence against him and decide whether to present an insanity defense.
Routh possessed 17 cell phones and numerous other electronic devices, and there are hundreds of hours of police body camera and surveillance video that has been provided to the defense, Routh's attorneys argued during a hearing two weeks ago in Fort Pierce, Florida. Florida.
In his order, Cannon said he 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 an excessive amount of time. Doing so in September does not represent an “unreasonable delay,” he said.
The judge indicated that any insanity defense or any request regarding Routh's mental competency must be made by early February. Any visit to the site of the assassination attempt must take place before the end of February.
Prosecutors say Routh methodically planned to kill Trump for weeks before pointing a rifle through the bushes while Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. Before Trump appeared, Routh was spotted by a Secret Service agent. Routh allegedly pointed his rifle at the officer, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a single shot. Prosecutors say he left behind a note describing his intentions.
He was arrested shortly after while driving on a nearby interstate.
The charge of attempted murder of a major presidential candidate carries a possible life sentence upon conviction. Other charges include assault on a federal officer and three firearms charges. He is being held without bail at the Miami federal prison.
Routh's arrest occurred two months after Trump was wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service acknowledged there were flaws in that case, but has said security worked as it should to thwart the possible attack in Florida.