Florida prosecutors are expected to request that Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, remain detained at a US court hearing on Monday. The Justice Department revealed that Routh left behind a note stating his intention to kill Trump and had a handwritten list of dates and venues where Trump was set to appear. Prosecutors argue that Routh poses a threat to public safety and had a premeditated plan to kill Trump. The assassination attempt was thwarted by a Secret Service agent who spotted Routh with a rifle at a golf course in West Palm Beach.
The note addressed to the world claimed the assassination attempt failed but offered $150,000 to anyone who could complete the job. Phone records show that Routh had traveled from North Carolina to Florida and was near Trump’s golf club and Mar-a-Lago residence multiple times leading up to the incident. Authorities found six phones and a notebook with criticisms of Russian and Chinese governments, as well as notes on joining the war on behalf of Ukraine in Routh’s car.
Routh is currently charged with illegally possessing a gun despite previous felony convictions and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. More serious charges may be filed in the future. An attorney for Routh did not comment on the case. The Secret Service stated that Routh did not fire any shots and did not have Trump in his line of sight during the incident. The details of the case will be presented at the court hearing to determine Routh’s detention status as the case progresses.
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