Trial Continues for Man Accused of Targeting President Trump
Fort Pierce, Florida – The trial of Ryan Routh, who is accused of trying to harm President Donald Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach last year, moved forward with more testimony. Federal prosecutors presented their case, calling on law enforcement and experts to share what they found during their investigation.
Randy Walters, a specialist in explosive devices, told the court about a box found at a place connected to Routh. Inside, there were homemade traps, like rat traps that could set off explosions, along with pipes and bullets. Walters explained that these traps could be made in many ways and that the parts found seemed to be only for making weapons.
Routh, who is representing himself, questioned Walters about whether it was illegal to own the parts by themselves. Walters agreed that most were not, but he also pointed out that someone who has been convicted of a crime is not allowed to have ammunition.
The jury also saw the rifle that Routh is said to have carried onto the golf course. An FBI agent, Nicholas Schnelle, showed the rifle to the court. Routh asked Schnelle if he knew for sure if the rifle was semiautomatic, since the agent had not tested it himself.
Routh often spoke directly to the witnesses, sometimes apologizing or saying things should be “common sense.” The judge, Aileen Cannon, had to stop him at times when he kept talking after the prosecutors objected.
The court planned to stop for the day and then talk about the instructions for the jury. The prosecutors are expected to finish presenting their case soon, and the defense will then have a chance to call their own witnesses.
