Federal agents and a Palm Beach County deputy provided detailed testimony Friday about the law enforcement response and physical evidence in the federal trial of a man accused of trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump while he played golf in South Florida.
An FBI agent displayed a 3D computer model of the golf course that showed the alleged sniper’s nest sat roughly 125 feet (38 meters) from the sixth hole, and another agent described recovering an SKS semi-automatic rifle with a round chambered, extra ammunition, metal ballistic plates and cans of Vienna sausages, according to court testimony and local reports. A Palm Beach County deputy testified that the area was swept for explosives and none were found.
The testimony came on the second day of the prosecution's case, a day after opening statements were cut short in U.S. District Court. Prosecutors used their full 40 minutes for an opening, but U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon declared that defendant Ryan Routh had forfeited his right to continue making an opening statement after repeatedly failing to keep his comments relevant to the charges despite warnings from the court. Routh is representing himself.
Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms violations. Prosecutors allege that Routh methodically planned for weeks to kill Trump and, on Sept. 15, 2024, aimed a rifle through shrubbery at the former president as he played golf at his West Palm Beach club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view, officials have said; prosecutors said Routh then aimed the rifle at the agent, who fired, causing Routh to drop the weapon and flee without firing a shot.
During Friday’s testimony, agents described physical evidence collected at the scene and in subsequent searches. The SKS-style rifle was described as having a round chambered. Investigators also recovered additional ammunition and metal plates consistent with body armor. The appearance of canned goods — testified to as Vienna sausages — was noted by agents among items seized, though prosecutors did not tie that particular item to any specific motive in court testimony.
Routh has indicated he plans to call a firearms expert and several character witnesses. He has not yet said whether he will testify on his own behalf. Nova Southeastern University law professor Bob Jarvis, appearing as an expert on courtroom procedure during news interviews, explained that a defendant representing himself may testify in one of several ways: by taking the witness stand and offering a narrative, by posing and answering his own questions, or, rarely, by having jurors ask questions. Regardless of the method, Jarvis said, prosecutors would be allowed to cross-examine a testifying defendant.
Courtroom exchanges on Friday suggested the trial's expected length could change. It had been anticipated to last two to three weeks, but prosecutors noted that Routh's cross-examinations of government witnesses have been relatively brief, a factor that could shorten the schedule.
The case is being prosecuted against the backdrop of another attempt on Trump’s life weeks earlier. Federal officials have said that nine weeks before the West Palm Beach incident, a gunman fired multiple shots at Trump during a campaign event in Pennsylvania; that gunman fired eight shots, wounded the former president with one graze to the ear, and was fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Prosecutors continue to present witnesses and evidence aimed at showing premeditation and the defendant’s intent. The trial record will determine whether jurors find the government met its burden of proof on the charges brought in the case.