The trial for Ryan Wesley Routh — the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in South Florida in September — has been pushed to September of 2025.
The AP reports that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon set the date after Routh’s defense team asked for it to be pushed until next December. It was previously set for Feb. 10, 2025.
Routh, 58, of Hawaii has pleaded not guilty.
Ryan Routh’s trial will begin Sept. 8 instead of the previously scheduled Feb. 10, 2025 start date, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said in an order released on Monday.
Prosecutors believe Routh had planned the assassination attempt for weeks near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course. An AK-47 style weapon was recovered at the scene, along with a Go Pro camera, as well as two backpacks that were hung on a fence.
Secret Service agents fired shots at Routh, who dropped the weapon and fled.
Roth had dropped off a box at an unidentified witness’ home several months prior to the assassination attempt that included a letter addressed “Dear World,” in which Routh wrote, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
Apparently referring to Trump, Routh added, “He ended relations with Iran like a child and now the Middle East has unraveled.” The witness had contacted law enforcement on Sept. 18, three days after the incident at Trump International, to inform them of the box. It also included ammunition, a metal pipe, miscellaneous building materials, tools, four phones and various letters, according to prosecutors.