“`html
Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, was swiftly curtailed by the presiding judge during his trial after diverging from the case’s central issues.
Routh, who is representing himself, addressed the jurors in his opening statement on Thursday, stating, “Modern trials seem to eliminate all that is human.”
He began with a broad “history” of human existence, but Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted him within minutes, excusing the jury and instructing Routh to confine his remarks to the specifics of the case.
Routh acknowledged and apologized, but the judge again interjected upon his resumption, declaring his opening remarks concluded.
Representing the prosecution, attorney John Shipley Jr. argued in his opening statement that Routh, in attempting to assassinate Trump during the 2024 election cycle, “decided to take the choice away from the American people.”
Mr. Shipley asserted that cellphone data, security footage, a handwritten note by Routh expressing intent to kill Trump, and eyewitness testimony would collectively establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The first government witness to testify was a U.S. Secret Service agent who recounted discovering a man concealed on the perimeter of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
In court, Robert Fercano identified Routh, who sat alone at the defense table wearing a gray blazer and blue tie, as the individual he encountered last year through a shrub-covered fence.
Mr. Fercano testified that while patrolling near the sixth hole of the golf course, he observed a face, armored plates, and what appeared to be the muzzle of an AK-style weapon protruding through the fence.
After calling out, “Hey, sir,” Mr. Fercano realized a weapon was aimed at him and called for backup while retreating.
Jurors heard audio of Mr. Fercano radioing colleagues after discharging his weapon in Routh’s direction: “Shots fired! Shots fired! Shots fired!”
At the prosecution’s request, the agent stood before the jury holding the SKS semiautomatic rifle, alleged to have been illegally obtained and used by Routh in the assassination attempt.
Routh then commenced his questioning of Mr. Fercano, almost exactly one year after the agent said he confronted him at Trump’s golf club.
“I do know you pointed the weapon at my face,” Mr. Fercano stated to Mr. Routh in response to inquiries regarding the weapon’s positioning.
Routh faces five charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and firearms offenses. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
The jury comprises seven women and five men, selected on Wednesday after three days of voir dire. There are also four alternates (two women and two men).
Routh attempted to dismiss potential jurors with ties to law enforcement, citing bias, but the judge ruled his reasons invalid for dismissal.
CBS, the BBC’s news partner, contributed to this report.
The Korean car maker says many of the arrested workers now want to get back home
Kirk, an influential Trump ally who at age 18 set up Turning Point USA, died in a shooting while speaking at a Utah campus event.
Trump’s volatile trade policy has thrown the world economy into chaos, and put some US prices up.
US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will carry out their second UK state visit in September.
Sir Keir Starmer faces growing calls to sack the UK’s ambassador to Washington after fresh revelations.
“`