Ryan Routh, the 58-year-old man accused of plotting to kill Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate at his Florida golf course, has pleaded not guilty to several federal charges.
Routh lawyer, Kristy Militello enrolled the not guilty plea during a brief arraignment in a West Palm Beach federal courthouse and requested a jury trial.
The suspect answered “yes, your honor,” when the magistrate judge asked him if he was aware of the charges against him.
He was arrested on September 15 after a Secret Service agent saw the barrel of a rifle pointing out from brush on the perimeter of the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was as at the time of the assassination.
The agent opened fire and Routh, who fled in a vehicle, was arrested shortly later, and has since been charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and firearms offenses.
However, a federal judge ruled last week that Routh, identified as a Hawaii resident, should remain in custody.
According to prosecutors, analysis of Routh’s phone indicated that he had been in Florida since August 18, and his devices were located multiple times between that date and September 15 near Trump’s golf course and his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Fusion Chronicles gathered that Routh spent nearly 12 hours in the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Club, before he was spotted by the Secret Service agent.
A court documents also confirmed that Routh allegedly dropped off a box at an unidentified person’s home several months before the attempted assassination containing various letters.
One letter, addressed to “The World,” allegedly said: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”
“I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,” it said. “It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
