Trump assassination try suspect Ryan Routh can rent knowledgeable to verify rifle, decide says

A person accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at his Florida golf membership final September can rent an knowledgeable to look at the rifle recovered from the scene, however solely to find out its operability, a federal decide mentioned Tuesday.

Ryan Routh’s attorneys had requested that their knowledgeable be allowed to examine, {photograph} and check the rifle in an effort to consider a authorities knowledgeable’s findings, in addition to check it for different data that they thought was related. In Tuesday’s order, District Decide Aileen Cannon — who was nominated by Mr. Trump — restricted the testing to only its operability, with a Might 15 deadline. 

Routh, who has pleaded not responsible, was charged with tried assassination of a presidential candidate and two firearm prices. His federal trial is scheduled for September, and he is anticipated to face further state prices.

Prosecutors say Routh methodically plotted to kill Mr. Trump — then a presidential candidate — for weeks earlier than aiming a rifle by way of the shrubbery as Mr. Trump performed golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Seaside nation membership. Earlier than the president 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 be aware describing his intentions. He was arrested a short while later driving on a close-by interstate.

Federal prosecutors alleged final week Routh additionally tried to purchase an anti-aircraft weapon on-line to shoot down Mr. Trump’s aircraft. “I would like tools in order that Trump can’t get elected,” Routh allegedly instructed an affiliate from whom he hoped to purchase the weapon.

In the meantime. Routh’s attorneys requested the decide final week to suppress statements from the eyewitness who recognized Routh. The legal professionals argued police had been “impermissibly suggestive” when questioning the witness, who they mentioned was proven a single {photograph} of Routh.