A man accused of trying to do that kill President-elect Donald Trump near West Palm Beach will not be tried until September 2025, a federal judge ruled this week in Fort Pierce.
Ryan Wesley RouthThe trial will begin on September 8, 2025 instead of the previously scheduled start date of February 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said in an order released Monday.
Routh, 58, a resident of Hawaii, has done just that pleaded not guilty.
Routh’s lawyers had asked the judge that postpone the process until no earlier than December next year, saying they needed more time to review the evidence against him and decide whether to mount an insanity defense.
Routh owned 17 cellphones and numerous other electronic devices, and there are hundreds of hours of police cameras and surveillance videos provided to the defense, Routh’s attorneys argued at a hearing two weeks ago in Fort Pierce, Florida.
In her order, Cannon said she wanted to take the risk of giving more time given the seriousness of the allegationsbut that not starting the process earlier than December would be an excessive amount. A September trial date did not constitute an “unreasonable delay,” she said.
The judge said any insanity defense or request regarding Routh’s mental competency must be filed in early February. Any visit to the assassination site must take place before the end of February.
Prosecutors say Routh methodically planned to kill Trump weeks earlier pointing a rifle through the brush while Trump played golf at his country club in West Palm Beach on September 15, 2024. Before Trump came into view, Rout was spotted by a Secret Service agent. Routh allegedly pointed his gun at the officer, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot. Prosecutors say he left a note describing his intentions.
He was arrested a short time later while driving on a nearby highway.
Routh’s charge of attempted murder of a leading presidential candidate carries a possible life sentence if convicted. Other charges include assault on a federal officer and three firearms counts. He is being held without bail in federal prison in Miami.
Routh’s arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The The Secret Service acknowledged shortcomings leading up to that shooting, but has said security worked as it should have to thwart the potential attack in Florida.
