Man Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump at Florida Golf Course

Ryan Wesley Routh, the individual alleged to have plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida earlier this month, entered a not guilty plea on Monday to five charges, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. The proceedings, which took place in a courtroom, saw Routh, donning a brown prison jumpsuit, arrive handcuffed, accompanied by his legal counsel.

Arraignment Proceedings

During the brief arraignment, which lasted approximately five minutes, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart read the charges against Routh, to which he shook his head in acknowledgment. Subsequently, Routh's attorneys entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury. However, the next court date remains unannounced. If convicted, Routh, aged 58, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Details of the Alleged

Assassination Plot

U.S. Secret Service agents discovered Routh armed with a high-powered rifle on September 15 outside the Trump International Golf Club. The agents first spotted the barrel of Routh's weapon in the bushes, leading them to fire at him before he fled the scene. Prosecutors allege that Routh was present with the intent to kill the Republican presidential nominee. Although he did not discharge his weapon, law enforcement recovered the rifle loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition.

Subsequent Charges and Investigative Findings

Last week, Routh was indicted on charges of assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms offenses. Prosecutors revealed that court filings indicated Routh had left a handwritten letter with a friend months prior, expressing remorse and stating, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster." Investigators also uncovered records indicating Routh tracked Trump's past and upcoming public appearances and searched for travel options from West Palm Beach to Mexico. Additionally, Routh's defense team previously argued for his release from custody pending trial, but a federal judge denied the request.