Ryan W. Routh plans to dismiss his court-appointed lawyer and represent himself just two months ahead of his trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump in September 2024.
Routh, who is 59 and from Greensboro, North Carolina, submitted a written statement to District Judge Aileen Cannon on June 29, which the court docket recorded on July 11. In his statement, he asserted that he would “represent myself to move forward.”
“I don’t want to hear how scary I am anymore,” he said in his letter.
Routh expressed frustration over relying on people he considers strangers to speak for him, describing it as a “childish mistake.”
He is scheduled to stand trial on September 8 for five federal counts related to the attempted assassination of Trump at a golf resort in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The charges include serious offenses such as attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, using firearms in the act, intentionally assaulting Secret Service officers, illegally possessing firearms as a felon, and possessing guns with altered serial numbers.
According to the FBI, Routh set up a sniper’s position by the sixth green of the Trump International Golf Club, armed with a “military-grade” SKS rifle loaded with 19 rounds intended for Trump.
The situation escalated on September 15, 2024, when a Secret Service agent observing the golf course reported seeing a man’s face among the brush along the fence near the sixth hole. The agent fired at Routh upon spotting a rifle aimed at Trump through a chain-link fence.
If convicted of the attempted assassination, Routh could face life imprisonment, while the other charges might lead to sentences ranging from five to twenty years.
Judge Cannon has set a hearing for July 24 to decide whether Routh can act as his own counsel. A preliminary hearing occurred on July 10, but the judge deemed another session necessary before making a ruling on Routh’s request.
In his correspondence with the court, Routh criticized his public defender for failing to answer his inquiries, concluding that “I should walk alone.”
He reiterated, “I don’t want to hear how scary I am anymore. I can defend myself. I don’t need help. Criticism is fine, but I’m the one who has to live with the consequences.”
Defense attorney Christie Militero has submitted a sealed review of forensic evaluations for the court’s consideration. Judge Cannon has ordered that Routh’s defense continue to be represented on pending matters until the July 24 hearing.
Federal prosecutors filed a motion arguing that Routh was trying to turn the trial into a spectacle and are seeking to prevent him from presenting evidence of good character in his defense. A hearing on this motion is scheduled for July 22.
Prosecutors said, “The defendant cannot leverage claims of good character to refute the charges against him.” It was highlighted that Routh explicitly indicated an intention to make the trial a circus and avoid distractions from the seriousness of the accusations.
They cited one instance where Routh submitted an Eagle Scout application from four years ago, which they argue has no relevance to the case at hand.
In his letter, Routh also questioned why the death penalty isn’t an option for his case, expressing confusion over possible life sentences instead. “Why isn’t that everything? What’s the point?” he mused.
Routh mentioned past conversations regarding negotiations involving terrorist groups and suggested that a “diplomatic victory” could be achieved through such means.
Prosecutors aim to introduce communication evidence between Routh and a former acquaintance, Tina Brown Cooper, who allegedly helped him acquire the SKS rifle for the assassination attempt. Cooper is accused of facilitating the purchase for $350 and has already pleaded guilty to a federal charge.
Sentencing for Cooper is expected on October 2.
