A man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.
Ryan Routh, aged 58, entered a plea of not guilty for charges including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and felony weapons charges. Following a detention hearing last week, a judge ordered him to remain incarcerated until his trial, according to court records.
During the arraignment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart read out each charge to Routh, who confirmed his understanding of the accusations. Routh’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury.
At the Sept. 23 detention hearing, Routh’s lawyers suggested that the handwritten letter might have been a ploy for publicity, highlighting Routh’s extensive activism on behalf of Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war.
A Secret Service agent discovered Routh hiding near a fence at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course while the former president was playing golf on Sept. 15. An agent noticed an SKS-style rifle protruding through the perimeter before firing multiple shots toward the individual, later identified as Routh, who fled the scene but was apprehended in another county.
Authorities recovered two backpacks, an SKS-style rifle with a scope, a camera, and a bag of food. During last week’s hearing, prosecutors revealed evidence suggesting Routh’s cellphone data indicated his frequent presence near the former president’s properties in West Palm Beach in the month leading up to the Sept. 15 incident.
The FBI stated earlier this month that Routh had been lingering near the golf course perimeter for 12 hours prior to his discovery. In addition, prosecutors found a list of dates and events in August, September, and October that were associated with the former president.
Judge Ryon M. McCabe ruled last week that Routh should remain in custody without bail until his trial, considering his extensive criminal history and the nature of the allegations, including the stalking of Trump prior to the Sept. 15 incident.
Routh’s arraignment took place on Monday before McCabe. However, the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who previously presided over a federal classified documents case against Trump that was dismissed in July due to procedural issues.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed Routh’s motive, but social media posts and a book purportedly written by him indicate a strong political animosity towards Trump. Routh was also an ardent supporter of Ukraine and had visited the war-torn country at least once, as evident from his online posts and media interviews.
This incident at the golf course marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in as many months. During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, an assailant fired at Trump on stage, striking him in the ear with a bullet.
In the initial assassination attempt, the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was instantaneously neutralized by Secret Service snipers. Limited information has been disclosed about the shooter, and no motive has been established.
During both assassination attempts, Trump has publicly commended the Secret Service for their swift response and protection.
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