Assassination Attempt Suspect Requests Jailing in Assisted Suicide States

Ryan Routh, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, has requested to be incarcerated in states that allow assisted suicide. On Thursday, he expressed this desire following a tense court session where, in a startling moment, he attempted to stab himself with a pen upon hearing the guilty verdict in September.

In his motion, Routh stated, “Please put me in a state like assisted suicide because I fail all the time.” He mentioned not having a list of such states yet but hoped someone would provide one.

Routh was found guilty of multiple charges in September, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. This followed a 12-day trial in Florida. The incident escalated when Secret Service found him concealed in bushes with a rifle at Trump’s golf course in Florida on September 15, 2024.

Additionally, Routh indicated he hopes for assistance in a potential prisoner exchange—suggesting possible trades involving a female protester advocating for women’s rights in Iran, a Ukrainian POW in Russia, or Chinese journalist Jimmy Lee. He illustrated that offering himself in exchange for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, currently imprisoned in Iran, might “eliminate his worst enemy and make Trump look good in the eyes of the Nobel committee.”

He expressed a poignant plea, writing, “Please don’t let me take my own life. It’s not in the best interest of humanity or humanity.” Although Routh had legal representation during the trial, he is currently seeking a new attorney for his upcoming sentencing in December.

During the trial, Judge Eileen Cannon frequently interrupted Routh, cutting short his lengthy opening statement and cautioning him against mocking the court.

As for assisted suicide, it is legal in 11 states, including California, Colorado, and Oregon, but there are specific restrictions regarding its coverage for prisoners.