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Ryan Routh was convicted last September of trying to assassinate then presidential candidate Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida on Sept. 15, 2024
He was sentenced Wednesday, Feb. 4 to life in prison, the maximum penalty for attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate
Routh represented himself during his trial but used an attorney during the sentencing phase
A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at one of his Florida golf courses during the 2024 presidential campaign was sentenced on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to life in prison.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon handed down the sentence to Ryan Routh, who represented himself at his trial last September in Fort Piece, Fla. It is the maximum penalty for attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate. He also received a mandatory additional seven years for a firearm offense.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, arguing in a sentencing memo last month that Routh had “plotted painstakingly” to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. Prosecutors also said Routh had not expressed remorse.
Martin Roth, an attorney who was brought in for his sentencing on Routh’s behalf, asked that the judge deviate from the sentencing guidelines and instead sentence Routh to 27 years, citing his age. Roth argued that would be a sufficient punishment. After the sentencing, Roth told reporters outside the courthouse that he would appeal the sentence.
Routh, a contractor originally from North Carolina, appeared Wednesday in the same courtroom where he tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen after a jury found him guilty on all counts, according to The Associated Press.
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At his trial, a Secret Service agent who had been protecting Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh hiding in the shrubbery. According to prosecutors, Routh was waiting for Trump to get into his line of fire. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, prompting Routh to flee in his car. He was caught shortly after.
Routh was convicted of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours.
Read the original article on People