ANAMBRA POLICE ACTION ON THE CULT CLASH THAT RESULTED IN THE FATAL INJURY OF FOUR PERSONS AT AFOR NAWFIA MARKET. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE
Ryan Routh, the man on trial for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year, declined to testify Monday, closing his self-represented defense after questioning a firearms expert and two character witnesses. Routh spent about three hours cross-examining the witnesses before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon confirmed he would not take the stand. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday.
Prosecutors have said Routh spent weeks plotting the attack before aiming a rifle through shrubbery at Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach. A Secret Service agent testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view, and when Routh aimed at the agent, shots were fired, causing him to drop his weapon and flee without hitting anyone. During Monday’s testimony, firearms expert Michael McClay said Routh’s line of sight to the sixth green was possible, but his firearm jammed on the second test shot, and the scope was poorly mounted, likely reducing accuracy.
Routh’s character witnesses described him as peaceful but admitted they had not seen him in years. Routh faces federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations. Prosecutors rested Friday after seven days of testimony from 38 witnesses.
Routh, a former North Carolina construction worker who moved to Hawaii, convinced Judge Cannon to allow him to represent himself, citing a belief that his federal public defenders didn’t understand him. His past included arrests for barricading himself with a machine gun, possessing explosives, and possessing stolen goods. He also faces state charges of terrorism and attempted murder. The trial has progressed faster than anticipated, with Cannon scheduling nearly two hours per side for closing arguments before jurors begin deliberations.
Comments
Post a Comment