Federal Judge Denies Government’s Bid to Exclude Expert Witness in Assassin Case
A federal judge has dismissed the government’s request to bar expert witnesses from testifying in the case against potential assassin Ryan Wesley Rouss. Judge Irene M. Cannon made the ruling regarding Michael McCrae, a former instructor at the US Marine Corps Scout Sniper School, pointing out the significance of his testimony.
According to Judge Cannon, the U.S. Department of Justice is set to call on FBI sniper experts during Rouss’ trial. She noted that given the considerable overlap in topics, it wouldn’t be justifiable to outright exclude McCrae’s proposed testimony.
Rouss is slated to go to trial on September 8, facing five charges linked to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a golf resort in Florida. He had previously sought to bring in two mental health experts to discuss the alleged lack of intent from both McCrae and Rouss’ accomplices.
At 58 years old and hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, Rouss faces serious charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, using firearms for such an attempt, assaulting a secret service officer, and illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. A conviction could lead to a life sentence in prison.
In particular, the FBI claims that Rouss had configured a sniper nest near the sixth green of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, equipped with a “military-grade” SKS rifle and 19 rounds of ammunition, waiting for the chance to fire at Trump.
Rouss reportedly relocated from Greensboro to West Palm Beach on August 14, 2024, and within the following month, moved around various residences, including near Trump’s golf club.
During a pursuit, a secret service agent spotted Rouss while riding a golf cart. The agent fired shots at him after noticing the rifle, but Rouss managed to escape the scene.
Judge Cannon had previously allowed test firing of Rouss’ rifle, indicating it was limited to examining the weapon’s performance related to its maneuverability. McCrae plans to testify that he loaded the rifle, fired it, and observed a jam after the second round was chambered.
Despite the prosecutor’s attempts to prevent McCrae’s testimony, Judge Cannon concluded that the request lacked sufficient grounds for exclusion.
Prosecutors aim to present evidence from FBI firearms examiner Erich D. Smith, who tested Rouss’ rifle in September 2024, confirming it functioned correctly during testing.
Moreover, Nicholas Schnell, an FBI special agent with expertise in tactical operations, is expected to discuss the strategy of observation points and firing positions in the context of targeting.
Meanwhile, Rouss also intends to call upon mental health experts on September 15 to discuss the alleged absence of intent behind his actions.
In a related ruling, Judge Cannon had imposed restrictions on the jury’s exposure during the trial, ensuring their privacy and safety amidst media attention. She underscored that a conviction does not necessitate the defendant to carry out the decisive act of the crime.
As the trial approaches, the legal proceedings are under close scrutiny, with Rouss representing himself and limited in accessing classified information.
