In a dramatic courtroom scene, Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, tried to harm himself shortly after the verdict was delivered. The incident unfolded in a Florida courthouse where Routh had just been found guilty on all counts after a two-hour jury deliberation.
Following the jury's departure from the room, Routh seized a pen and attempted to stab himself in the neck. Court marshals quickly intervened, dragging him from the courtroom, while his daughter, Sara Routh, urged him not to hurt himself, crying, 'Dad, I love you, don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody.'
Ryan Routh faced charges including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He had pleaded not guilty, asserting during his closing argument that he had no intent to kill, claiming, 'If the trigger was never pulled, how can a crime occur?'
During the trial, it was revealed that Routh plotted the assassination weeks in advance, aiming a rifle at Trump as he played golf on September 15, 2024. A Secret Service agent testified that he saw Routh before Trump came into view. Officers confronted Routh, causing him to drop his weapon without firing a shot.
Despite his self-representation in court, Routh was convicted of multiple charges, including attempted homicide and assaulting a federal officer. Following his conviction, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the verdict emphasizes a commitment to tackling threats against public officials.
As Routh awaits sentencing, he also faces state terrorism charges, amplifying the focus on his actions and their implications for national security. Routh's past includes significant criminal behavior, raising concerns about his mental state and motivations.
