Convicted Trump Assassination Plotter Ryan Routh Tries To Stab Himself In Court

Ryan Routh, convicted of plotting to assassinate US President Donald Trump, attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen in court shortly after a Florida jury found him guilty. The pen was specifically designed to be non-lethal, resulting in only minor scratches or bruises to his neck, according to ABC News.

Routh was convicted for attempting to attack Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course last year. Following the jury's exit from the courtroom, Routh stood up and was immediately surrounded by four armed marshals who escorted him out.

During this chaotic moment, Routh's daughter Sara called out emotionally, "Dad, I love you. Don't do anything. I will get you out." She then expressed her frustration at officials, shouting, "He didn't hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged. You guys are a**holes."

Minutes later, Routh was brought back into the courtroom in shackles. His jacket and tie had been removed, but his white shirt showed no blood stains, as reported by The New York Post.

The judge scheduled his sentencing for December 18, where Routh could potentially face life imprisonment for his conviction.

After the verdict was announced, Trump took to social media to thank law enforcement and a witness who helped apprehend Routh. Trump characterized him as "an evil man with an evil intention" and described the verdict as "a big moment for justice in America," according to the BBC.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that Routh's assassination attempt was not merely an attack on the president but on the entire nation.

The jury determined that Routh had intended to kill Trump, who was a Republican presidential candidate at the time. The incident occurred when Routh positioned a rifle through a fence while Trump was playing golf.

Prosecutor John Shipley emphasized the severity of the plot during the trial, stating, "This plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious," and adding that "without the intervention of the Secret Service agent, Donald Trump would not be alive."