Ryan Routh’s trial begins suspected of Trump assassination attempt

The trial suspected of becoming a presidential assassin began many trials: jury choice.

But before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon summoned prospective jurors to Fort Pierce in Florida court, she needed a screening of the defense.

“There is a question, a tortoise on the road, or does one stop or move it?” Judge Cannon said on Monday.

Attorneys usually don’t ask such whimsical questions during case fears – the process of screening potential jurors – but the person who filed the attorney is not the attorney. He is the defendant.

Ryan Routh, 59, was accused of assassinating Donald Trump in September last yearrepresent yourself.

Prosecutors accused Routh of occupying the periphery of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach for the purpose of killing him.

FBI agents said they found an SKS semi-automatic rifle with an oscilloscope and an extended magazine in the hidden area of ​​Routh. Prosecutors said he fired a shot at an agent who found out he was fleeing. He also allegedly left a list of places where Trump is expected to appear and told a friend: “This is an assassination attempt against Donald Trump.”

Government accused Rolls Attempts to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assault on federal officials and two gun-related crimes. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, despite the severity of his situation, Being asked to defend himself at trial.

However, the defendant’s quirks obscured the seriousness of the case.

A series of odd inquiries filed to the court include a request to challenge President Trump to “beat the meeting” or a round of golf.

He also asked to call Trump a witness, describing the president in court documents as an “unnecessary self-idiot-crazy.”

On Monday, federal prosecutor John Shipley Jr wanted the turtle problem. He told Judge Cannon that the “stupid” of the recipe was “relieving the subject matter of that trial.”

Ruth replied: “I don’t know how to change it.” However, he explained that when submitting the question, he put an “X” next to the question because he didn’t think it was good.

Judge Cannon told him that he had other questions about potential jurors – about student protests in Palestine, or the U.S. purchase of Greenland – Judge Cannon told him.

Sit alone at the defensive table, wearing a grey coat and a red striped tie, Rout joined the process of lowering 180 local residents to 12 jurors and four substitutes.

“I’m sorry to bring you all here,” said in the top 60 seats.

He has great respect for some people saying that they cannot serve due to personal reasons.

Rous said a man who teaches autistic children should be forgiven because “it’s a very glorious profession” and that person should “continue his work.”

Judge Cannon reminded Routh several times that he could actually oppose the government’s proposed strike.

Routh fights a juror’s firing: Prosecutors say people who commented on President Trump believe that “the felony should be restored to their voting rights” and noted in a jury questionnaire that they got news from TV or my candy mom. ”

“I obviously want to keep this juror,” Rous said.

Judge Cannon attacked 20 jurors from the pool on Monday, and the court will present a new panel for consideration on Tuesday (jury Routh’s defense remains in the pool, although the judge said they can still be attacked for their careers).

In July, the judge approved Routh’s request to represent himself, but ordered a court-appointed lawyer to be on standby and warned him that his lawyer would be “better” on his behalf.

She told him: “I strongly urge you not to make this decision.”

At the time, Rouse said his lawyer did not answer his questions and they were “a million miles apart.”

“It is not common for defendants to represent themselves,” said Neama Rahmani, a trial attorney who is not involved in the case.

“The belief rate for those who are at risk is high, and I hope this case will be different. It is not a good idea to continue professionals, especially in high-profile cases against experienced federal prosecutors,” he said.

Routh’s alleged attempt to Trump’s life happened two months after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, hurting Trump’s ears and killing supporters. The two incidents have attracted the spotlight of escalating political violence in the months leading to the 2024 election and prompted the administration to question the U.S. Secret Service.

Although Trump is not in court and is unlikely to take a witness performance, his appearance is imminent in the proceedings.

Before the same judge, he faces charges from the same court in criminal cases for alleged misconduct of confidential documents starting from the White House’s first term. Trump’s re-election officially ends the case.

Now, as president, his portrait hangs at the entrance of the federal court, right on the metal detector.

Madeline Halpert contributed to the report.