WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A person already jailed on federal expenses of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump as he golfed final fall will face further state terrorism and tried homicide expenses, Florida’s attorney general stated Thursday.
Ryan Routh tried to undermine the nation’s political system and can face state tried first-degree homicide and terrorism expenses, Lawyer Common James Uthmeier stated.
“Making an attempt to take the lifetime of a former president and a number one presidential candidate isn’t simply an assault on one man, this was a political assault towards our Republican type of authorities and our shares American values,” Uthmeier stated.
Routh’s lead lawyer, Kristy Militello, did not instantly reply to an electronic mail in search of remark.
Based on prosecutors, Routh plotted to kill Trump as Trump golfed at his West Palm Seashore golf course in September. Secret Service officers noticed Routh earlier than Trump got here into view. Routh aimed his rifle at an agent, who opened fireplace, which led Routh to drop his weapon and flee with out firing, they stated.
Uthmeier, a Republican, criticized the Biden administration, accusing it of making an attempt to “frustrate our efforts” and “block” his workplace’s investigation. He lauded FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Lawyer Common Pam Bondi for being prepared to “work collectively to pursue justice.”
Routh is jailed on federal expenses of trying to assassinate a significant presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of against the law of violence, assaulting a federal officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial quantity.
He is due in court on the federal charges in September. The lag between his arrest and his subsequent court docket date was granted to present his attorneys time to evaluate lots of of hours of footage from police physique cameras and surveillance cameras, and to pore over materials from Routh’s 17 cellphones and different digital units.
Shortly after Routh’s arrest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated the state would conduct its personal investigation and will deliver expenses that are not accessible on the federal stage.
If convicted of the tried assassination cost, Routh may very well be sentenced to life in jail.
