FORT PIERCE, Fla. — In a disturbing courtroom scene, Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, tried to harm himself with a pen just moments after the jury delivered a guilty verdict. The incident unfolded quickly as marshals intervened to prevent any further actions.
The jury, comprising five men and seven women, reached their decision after only two hours of deliberation. Upon hearing the verdict, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck, prompting a swift response from law enforcement present in the courtroom.
Routh's daughter, Sara, was visibly distressed, pleading with her father not to take such drastic measures, insisting, Dad, I love you, don’t do anything. I'll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody.” As she voiced her frustration with the trial's conduct, she later awaited her father's transport to prison outside the courthouse.
Facing several serious charges—including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon—Routh defended himself in court, ultimately opting not to testify during his trial. His defense relied on just three witnesses compared to the prosecution's 38, which included compelling testimony from a Secret Service agent who recounted the moment he shot at Routh as he aimed a rifle at Trump.
Throughout the trial, Routh maintained that he had no intention to kill anyone, reasoning that the trigger to his weapon had never been pulled. Routh's conviction highlights a troubling chapter of political agitation and raises significant questions regarding mental health and the judicial process in politically charged cases.
Following his guilty verdict, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the outcome reflects a dedication to addressing political violence, proclaiming the assassination attempt as not just an attack on Trump, but also a threat to the nation as a whole.
