Details Emerge from Trial of Ryan Routh in Alleged Assassination Attempt
Fort Pierce, Florida – Several law enforcement officials spoke on Friday about how they responded to the situation involving Ryan Routh’s alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
The trial, wrapping up its fifth day, has progressed more quickly than anticipated, with Routh himself challenging the testimonies of witnesses relatively promptly.
Routh is representing himself as he faces five charges related to an alleged attempt on Trump’s life at a golf course in Florida. On Friday, Sergeant Kenneth Maes and Lieutenant Colonel William Gale from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office testified about their actions from the incident on September 15, 2024.
Maes recounted how he reacted after hearing a call of “firing!” over the sheriff’s office communications channel. Lacking access to the Secret Service channel and more information, he began to assess the situation. He explained that once he arrived at the golf course clubhouse, he didn’t get much information from the Secret Service agent available there. So, he parked nearby on Summit Boulevard and noticed something suspicious in the bushes, presuming it was a hiding spot for someone. Eventually, he found a rifle leaning against a fence alongside two bags.
When Lieutenant Colonel Gale arrived, he met a citizen named Tommy McGee, who had been tracking Routh after hearing the gunfire. McGee, who worked as a mental health counselor, explained he followed Routh with the intent of documenting a license plate number and taking a photograph.
Prosecutor John Shipley acknowledged McGee’s role, stating that it was McGee who prevented Routh from escaping. Another Secret Service agent, Robert Fercano, testified he discovered Routh hiding in the bushes the same day.
Before the lunch break, the court also heard from FBI operational media specialist Erin Casey and special agent Kathryn Rose. Rose presented items collected at the scene, such as a rifle and a GoPro camera. Casey noted that Routh was approximately 126 feet from the sixth hole’s flag where Trump was heading at that time.
“It seems we didn’t go anywhere,” Routh remarked after questioning about the rifle’s range. “Thank you for your useful testimony.”
While Routh remained mostly silent during the proceedings, he did ask some questions, particularly concerning a few of the witnesses.
FBI Special Agent Christine Bailey later explained how DNA evidence was collected using mouth swabs and Routh’s fingerprints. Routh, in his only question during cross-examination, criticized Bailey for not addressing the hair samples. “You ruled out your hair,” he stated, adding, “isn’t that proof?” Bailey responded that she had not been asked about hair.
Additional testimony included FBI Digital Forensics Examiner Elizabeth Riddell, who extracted several videos from Routh’s GoPro camera, and Jose Rureiro, a special agent who recorded Routh while in custody.
Earlier in the trial, prosecutor John Shipley described Routh’s actions as part of a “carefully crafted fatal, serious plot” to prevent Trump’s re-election. However, Routh’s rambling statement, which touched on historical and international relations, was cut short by the judge after he disregarded her warnings about maintaining decorum in the courtroom.
Judge Aileen Cannon has instructed Routh and his standby counsel to be prepared to present their case on September 19, as the prosecution aims to rest its case by September 18.
