Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump while he was golfing in South Florida during the 2024 presidential campaign, is appealing his life sentence.
Routh’s attorney has filed a notice with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit indicating he intends to challenge both his conviction and the life sentence imposed earlier this month.
Last year, a jury found Routh guilty on all five counts he faced, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. (RELATED: Ryan Routh Sentenced To Life For Attempted Trump Assassination)
Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks planning the attack. In September 2024, he staked out Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pushed the muzzle of a rifle through the course’s perimeter fence near the sixth hole, according to court testimony.
Witnesses said Routh was spotted before Trump came into view and fled after a Secret Service agent fired at him. He was later arrested on a nearby highway while attempting to escape. (RELATED: Failed Assassin Ryan Routh Labels Trump A ‘Dictator’ In Jailhouse Manifesto)
Federal prosecutors sought a life sentence. Routh, however, asked the court to impose a 27-year sentence, arguing that a downward departure from federal sentencing guidelines was warranted due to errors during his trial.
During the September trial, Routh dismissed his public defenders and chose to represent himself. He told U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon that a lower sentence was appropriate because his “inability to effectively confront witnesses, use exhibits or affirmatively introduce impeachment evidence” misled jurors.
An attorney who assisted Routh during sentencing argued that a shorter sentence would still keep him imprisoned into his 80s and allow him to receive correctional and mental health treatment. After the verdict was announced, Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen.
Martin Roth, the attorney who filed the appeal, said in an email that allowing Routh to represent himself is a potential error the appeals court should review. He also cited Judge Cannon’s appointment by Trump and her refusal to recuse herself from the case, as well as the court’s determination that Routh committed an act of terrorism, as issues likely to be challenged.
Prosecutors argued that Routh sought to kill Trump “cravenly, in cold blood” and has shown no remorse.
“The Constitution affords citizens many peaceful avenues to oppose or express strong dissent about a Presidential candidate — murder is not one of them,” the government said in court filings.
Judge Cannon sided with prosecutors. When she imposed the life sentence earlier this month, Routh remained silent but left the courtroom smiling, according to NewsNation.
The September 2024 attempt at Trump International Golf Club occurred just two months after Trump was injured in a separate assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. In that incident, the suspected gunman was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
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