Trial of Ryan Routh, man accused of Trump assassination attempt at Florida golf course gets underway

Ryan Wesley Routh, a 59-year-old Hawaii resident and former Trump supporter, will be representing himself when jury selection gets underway at the federal court in Fort Pierce, which is part of the Southern District of Florida.

[Judge Aileen Yes Her] Cannon has ordered that the defenders remain in the courtroom on standby as the prosecutors and Routh himself begin choosing potential jurors out of a pool of 180 people from the surrounding area.

Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer, plus several firearm violations. He faces a sentence of life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge. And he is currently being held without bail at the federal jail in Fort Pierce.

During the court hearings and in motions, Routh has repeatedly disparaged Trump as [numerous unkind characterizations] and even challenged the president to a golfing duel.

In addition to the federal charges, Routh has also pleaded not guilty to state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.

AP article offers more background on Routh.

A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous, sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press.

He seems like a sad marginal dangerous nut with delusions of grandeur. The tough on crime crowd can complain about how North Carolina gave him probation for a couple felony theft counts.

Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump on golf course, defends himself at trial​

Closing arguments in the trial are currently scheduled for Tuesday.

Routh, who is representing himself despite lacking any legal education or experience, plans to call three witnesses on Monday -- a gun expert and two character witnesses -- as he tries to make a case why a jury should spare him from the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.

Routh has broadly described his defense strategy as emphasizing his "gentleness, peacefulness, and nonviolent caring for humanity," according to court filings.

Among the exhibits Routh plans to use are a design for a DIY skatepark, videos and photos showing him recruiting and fundraising for the Ukrainian military, a photo of a flash mob he organized, and a church bulletin from 1980 when he was awarded an Eagle Scout award.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon -- who has repeatedly clashed with Routh over his unusual courtroom tactics -- has curtailed much of Routh's defense. She blocked many of his proposed witnesses, including an ex-girlfriend and several Palestinian scholars, and prohibited him from arguing that his actions were justified or that he would not have followed through with the assassination attempt.

Jury convicts Ryan Routh on all charges in attempted assassination of Donald Trump​

Jurors convicted him on all five counts, including attempted assassination and weapons violations. Even though the rifle was never fired that day, federal lawyers say Routh had "intent" and made a "substantial step in the alleged attempt." He faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced on December 18.

After the guilty verdicts were read but before jurors had departed, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen.