Ryan Routh has entered a not-guilty plea to federal charges related to an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the former president’s Florida golf club.
The arraignment in West Palm Beach took only three minutes, during which Routh’s attorney, Kristy Militello, entered a plea for all five charges. She waived the reading of the charges and indicated that the defense was seeking a trial.
On September 15, while former President Trump was golfing, a Secret Service agent reportedly observed Routh with a semi-automatic rifle behind a chain-link fence and fired at him. Authorities stated that Routh did not fire back and attempted to escape but was subsequently apprehended.
On September 24, a grand jury in Miami issued a five-count indictment against Routh, charging him with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possession of a firearm concerning a violent crime, assault on a federal officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm with an altered serial number.
When US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart asked Routh if he understood the charges, he replied, “Yes, your honor.” If finished, Routh faces a maximum sentence of life in prison under the assassination attempt statute.
Prosecutors stated in a detention filing that Routh was suspected of traveling to the golf course and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on multiple occasions in the month preceding his arrest. Routh possessed a list of venues where Trump had appeared or was anticipated to be present, spanning from August to October.
Frances Ibiefo
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