Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in September, faces a new attempted murder charge linked to a car crash as he tried to flee authorities, Florida's attorney general said. Ashley Moody announced this on Wednesday.
Moody said that as Routh fled north on I-95, law enforcement was forced to cut off traffic in both directions in order to capture him and ensure the public's safety. The closure of the lane, however, led to a road accident which injured a 6-year-old girl traveling with her family.
The new charge against Routh follows what she described as a “lack of cooperation and support from federal agents” that frustrated Florida authorities.
“We immediately reached out and began communicating with our federal partners,” she said. “As soon as we began these steps, we were immediately confronted with a lack of willingness to allow us access to the crime scene, a refusal to provide the evidence collected, a refusal to allow us to accompany the interviews with witnesses, and the list goes on and on.”
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Routh allegedly waited more than 12 hours in the brush with a rifle on the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach while Trump played golf on September 15. A Secret Service agent saw Routh pointing a rifle through a fence and shot him. Routh fled and was arrested that day.
Routh has already pleaded not guilty to five charges, including the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate and the assault of a federal officer.
Routh last appeared in federal court for a hearing on Dec. 11. His legal team is considering an insanity defense.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis echoed Moody's remarks, saying it was difficult to work with federal officials on the issue.
“Federal authorities have obstructed Florida's investigation into Trump's assassination attempt at every turn, and I appreciate AG Ashley Moody and her team for persevering despite such resistance,” he said. he posted on truth about history, motives and plan of the accused.
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Routh remains in federal custody. His trial is currently scheduled for February 10, 2025.