Trump Assassination Suspect’s Wild Letters Land Him on “Short Leash” for Trial

[noumoe]

Ryan Wesley Routh, the 59-year-old charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, seeks to admit three letters, including a chilling “Dear World” note offering $150,000 to “finish the job,” to argue his mindset, but prosecutors call them hearsay. In a bizarre September 2 motion, he also challenged late prosecution evidence, like security footage, alleging it violates discovery rules, and proposed a golf match with Trump: “[If] he wins he can execute me, I win I get his job,” adding demands for strippers or a putting green. Judge Aileen Cannon unsealed witness and exhibit lists Tuesday, ensuring transparency, with prosecutors likely calling Secret Service agents to detail the thwarted attack.

With jury selection set

to begin Monday, September 8, Routh faces trial under tight security restrictions reflecting the case’s gravity. At Tuesday’s final pretrial hearing, Cannon warned: “If you make any sudden movements, marshals will take decisive and quick action to respond.” He must wear business attire, speak from a podium, and avoid roaming the courtroom. Routh’s erratic filings, including quipping, “sorry [sic] hillbilly Vance,” underscore the risks of his self-representation.

The government’s case depicts calculated preparation. Prosecutors allege Routh began planning in early 2024, conducting reconnaissance in West Palm Beach and researching firearms. Court documents cite digital evidence, including surveillance plans and messages seeking to prevent Trump’s election. On September 15, 2024, Routh allegedly aimed an SKS rifle through shrubbery at Trump’s golf club, with a backpack and bag containing armored plates forming a “sniper position.” A Secret Service agent’s warning shots prompted Routh to flee without firing, averting a national catastrophe.

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