Suspect In Assassination Try Of Trump Can Rent Knowledgeable To Test Rifles Operability

FORT PIERCE: A suspect accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump final September in South Florida can rent an professional to look at the rifle recovered from the scene, however solely to find out its operability, a federal decide mentioned Tuesday. Ryan Wesley Routh’ s attorneys had requested that their professional be allowed to examine, {photograph} and check the rifle with a purpose to consider a authorities professional’s findings, in addition to check it for different data that they thought was related.

In Tuesday’s order, U.S. District Decide Aileen Cannon restricted the testing to only its operability, with a Might 15 deadline. Routh’s trial is scheduled for September. Prosecutors say Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks earlier than aiming a rifle by the shrubbery as Trump performed golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Seashore nation membership. Earlier than Trump got here into view, Routh was noticed by a Secret Service agent. 

Routh allegedly aimed his rifle on the agent, who opened hearth, inflicting Routh to drop his weapon and flee with out firing a shot. Prosecutors say he left behind a observe describing his intentions.