Minutes into opening statements at the trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, a federal judge interrupted and curtailed Routh after he veered into unrelated commentary while representing himself.
Routh, who is charged with five crimes including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and multiple firearms offenses, began his opening remarks Thursday by offering what he called a "history" of human existence. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon excused the jury and told him to confine his remarks to the case. Routh apologized and agreed, but the judge again cut him off when he resumed and instructed that his opening remarks were over. Routh has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors, represented by John Shipley Jr., told jurors that cellphone data, security-camera footage, a handwritten note attributed to Routh expressing an intention to kill Trump, and eyewitness testimony would demonstrate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. "By trying to assassinate Trump in the midst of the 2024 election, [the defendant] decided to take the choice away from the American people," Shipley said in his opening statement.
The first government witness was Secret Service agent Robert Fercano, who testified that he discovered a man hiding on the perimeter of Trump's West Palm Beach golf course last year. Fercano said he identified the man as Routh, who sat at the defense table wearing a gray blazer and blue tie. The agent testified that while patrolling near the sixth hole he saw a face, armored plates and what appeared to be the muzzle of an AK-style weapon protruding through a shrub-covered fence.
Fercano said he called, "Hey, sir," and then realized a weapon had been pointed at him. He called for backup while retreating and ultimately fired toward the figure, radioing to colleagues, "Shots fired! Shots fired! Shots fired!" At prosecutors' request, Fercano stood before the jury holding an SKS semiautomatic rifle the government alleges Routh obtained illegally and attempted to use in the shooting.
Routh conducted questioning of Fercano from the defense table, including asking about the positioning of the weapon. "I do know you pointed the weapon at my face," Fercano told Routh in response.
Jurors were seated Wednesday after three days of selection. The jury consists of seven women and five men, with four alternates — two women and two men. During selection, Routh sought to dismiss prospective jurors who had ties to law enforcement, arguing potential bias; the judge rejected those reasons as insufficient for dismissal.
The trial, being held in Fort Pierce, Florida, is expected to include presentation of physical evidence, witness testimony and forensic data as the government seeks to prove Routh's intent and actions on the day of the incident. The case has drawn intense public interest because of the target and the timing during the 2024 election cycle.
Court proceedings will continue with additional witnesses and evidence expected to be introduced by the prosecution. Defense strategy beyond Routh's brief opening remarks remains limited by his self-representation and the judge's admonitions to focus on the facts of the case.