On Monday, the Florida man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in court.
Ryan Routh, 58, appeared in federal court Monday to enter five not guilty pleas to counts including attempted assassination of a major political candidate and assault of a federal officer, after he allegedly poked a rifle through the perimeter of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, prompting a Secret Service agent to fire.
Routh also pleaded not guilty to charges he possessed a firearm with an obliterated serial number despite being a convicted felon, in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Prosecutors say Routh planned to kill Trump as he golfed on Sept. 15, staking out the perimeter of the course near its sixth hole for roughly 12 hours until he was noticed and fled. They revealed last week that Routh allegedly wrote a letter months before the assassination attempt detailing his plans.
Prosecutors disclosed chilling new details about Routh’s plans in a memo aimed at convincing the court to detain him while he awaits trial. A letter found at Routh’s home, made public last Monday, revealed that Routh had predicted his failure in the assassination attempt and even offered a $150,000 bounty for anyone who successfully kills Trump. (RELATED: Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect Ryan Routh To Be Held Without Bail)
“Dear world, this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you,” Routh wrote, according to the letter filed by prosecutors. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.”
Prosecutors also revealed that a witness came forward, stating that Routh had dropped off a box at their residence before the assassination attempt. The box reportedly contained ammunition, a metal pipe, building materials, four phones and several letters, including the letter outlining his plans in case he failed to kill Trump.
On Monday afternoon, a judge ruled that Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, will be held indefinitely without bail, citing the strength of the evidence against him.
Routh has been in custody since the incident and faces up to life in prison.
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