In the case of Ryan Wesley Routh, charged with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in September 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a ruling, namely, he can hire an expert witness to examine the rifle recovered from the scene.
Routh requested that an expert witness be brought in to assess whether the firearm recovered from the scene of the alleged crime would have fired as intended. Presiding Judge Cannon granted this request but imposed a very narrow scope on the assessment: only operability could be determined. The firearm's operability must be evaluated by May 15, 2025, according to the order.
Routh's counsel sought permission for their expert to conduct a sweeping inspection of sorts, which they considered necessary to thoroughly evaluate the government's forensic claims. They wanted to go much further than mere operability testing. The court, however, placed strict limits on the inspection and narrowed the focus to just that one issue. He has already been convicted of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Allegedly, Routh was involved in a conspiracy to kill President Trump. In the weeks preceding the September 15, 2024, incident, he was said to have carefully planned the act of assassination. On that date, while Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach club, Routh attempted to murder him. From a position behind some shrubbery, Routh aimed a rifle at Trump, who was not more than 100 yards away, and preparing to putt on the 18th hole.
Secret Service agents are always positioned nearby when the president is outdoors, and one of these men noticed Routh's suspicious behavior and confronted him. Secret Service agents are trained to deal with armed suspects and do not hesitate to use their weapons when necessary. Prosecutors say he left behind a note describing his intentions. It is alleged in the note he 'offered $150,000 to other would-be assassins to finish the job'.
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