(NewsNation) —Ryan Routh, who is representing himself against federal charges related to an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last year, began opening statements Thursday but was cut off minutes in for breaking trial rules.
The trial comes almost exactly a year after prosecutors said a U.S. Secret Service agent intercepted Routh’s attempt to shoot Trump, who was campaigning for the presidency at the time.
While a judge has allowed Routh to act as his own attorney, court-appointed attorneys have been ordered to remain as standby counsel.
“This is not going to be a simple trial where nothing unexpected happened,” David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, told NewsNation. “I think every day is going to have something unexpected that happens, and whether or not that results in an acquittal, I think it’s a very slim chance of that, but it will be a very odd trial.”
Routh’s opening statement cut short for breaking rules
The trial began with prosecutors stitching together the timeline leading up to Routh’s attempt to shoot at Trump.
“If not for the [Secret Service] agent, Donald Trump would not be alive,” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley said during opening statements.
Routh began speaking about the history of human civilization and existential thoughts before being cut off minutes in by Judge Aileen Cannon, who reminded him of her pre-trial mandates for opening statements.
He continued for another few minutes, almost breaking into tears, saying, “this is case means nothing,” before being cut off by Cannon again.
Special agent who encountered Routh recalls thinking he was ‘homeless’ at first
Former Special Service agent Robert Fercano was the first witness to take the stand for prosecutors.
The agent told jurors that 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, who 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.
‘You the man’ Routh tells witness who identified him to police
Tommy McGee, who identified Routh as the person he saw fleeing the area outside Trump’s golf course, told jurors he heard gunshots and went towards the sound hoping to be a witness.
That’s where he saw a panicked Routh running, he said. He also testified that he saw a black Nissan Xterra and followed the car, which was later identified as Routh’s.
McGee was later flown in a police chopper to identify Routh as the suspect.
During cross examination, Routh told McGee “you the man” and “you are my hero.” He then asked the McGee if he is a Trump supporter.
The question prompted an objection and Cannon told Routh to stop the line of questioning.
After the admonishment, Routh told McGee, “American Hero. Celebrate your efforts.”
What is Routh accused of?
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.