(NewsNation) — The man who allegedly attempted to assassinate President Trump at his golf course last year continues to struggle representing himself against federal charges, even apologizing to jurors during the trial for his lack of legal knowledge.
Ryan Routh, 59, opted to forgo a lawyer and instead represent himself in the trial for his alleged attempt to shoot Trump in West Palm Beach last year.
While a judge has allowed Routh to act as his own attorney, court-appointed attorneys have been ordered to remain as standby counsel.
Routh has been flustered over court procedures during the trial, even being called out by Judge Aileen Cannon for going off-topic. He appears to be more confident handling cross-examinations.
The trial has moved at a fast pace, with several witnesses already called in the second day of the proceeding. Prosecutors have honed in on placing Routh at Trump’s golf course with the intent to kill him.
Jurors have heard from several people who say they saw Routh on the day of the alleged attempted attack.
Former Secret Service agent Robert Fercano was the first witness to take the stand for prosecutors.
The agent told jurors he was at Trump’s golf course the morning of the alleged attempted attack.
He said Trump, who was a presidential candidate at the time, was on the fifth hole of the golf course while he was at the sixth when he saw the face of an individual whom he later identified as Routh.
Fercano said he tried to initiate contact with Routh in a “friendly” manner and that Routh smiled at him.
The agent said his initial thought was that Routh was a homeless person and didn’t seem like a threat.
But he said he then saw two bulletproof plates and a gun.
The agent said Routh pointed the weapon at his face, which caused him to fear for his life and Trump’s safety. That’s when he fired his weapon and radioed in for backup.
Routh did not object to any of Fercano’s questioning by prosecutors.
Routh is accused of staking out Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, for 12 hours on his golf course in West Palm Beach, hiding in a tree line.
Authorities said a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter security sweep saw Routh in the brush along the fence near the sixth hole.
Routh allegedly aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing him to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot, according to the Justice Department.
He was later arrested after being identified by a witness who said they saw him running from the scene, authorities said.
Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer and attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
Routh has pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.