Routh prosecutors expected to rest case Thursday

By Alan Wooten
The Center Square

Whether Ryan Routh will testify in his defense remained a mystery as Wednesday’s fifth day of testimony closed and federal prosecutors drew closer to resting their case.

Routh is representing himself before Judge Aileen Cannon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Fort Pierce. He’s charged with an assassination plot against Donald Trump, a candidate for president as he golfed on Sept. 15, 2024.

The North Carolina construction worker also lived for a time in Hawaii. Cannon ois anticipating the prosecution resting Thursday and has instructed the defendant to have witnesses ready to go Friday.

Charges against Routh are attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; assaulting a federal officer; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Routh has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He could face life in prison if convicted.

Ronnie Oxendine, a roofing contractor in North Carolina, testified Wednesday on the August 2024 sales exchange for the firearm lawmen recovered. Tina Cooper, also of North Carolina, was involved. Oxendine has a plea deal in exchange for testimony, Cooper does not.

An AT&T employee, Aaron Thompson, from Greensboro also testified. Prosecutors say Routh had multiple cellphones, and Thompson said he used the name John White to purchase.

Several FBI agents and specialists are among the most recent to testify.

On Tuesday at the trial, Cannon had bouts of impatience with both the prosecutors and Routh. The defendant’s DNA was linked to a rifle grip, said Kara Gregor, a DNA examiner for the FBI.

Routh’s cross-examination included asking her, “Did you test a Colt .45 case? A golf tee? A blue flashlight? How about a Sunny D?”

Testimony revealed Routh’s messages on WhatsApp included a Feb. 3, 2024, send from him saying, “I think Kennedy was killed from a hill … Certainly not an easy task. If I can help, just let me know what to do.” Another said, “I hate him” in reference to Trump.

After being spotted by the security detail as Trump golfed, Routh tried to escape. His Nissan Xterra was stopped on I-95, and Barrois said inside were a mattress, toiletries, clothes and food. A bullet casing in the glove box, the notes on flights and cellphones were also inside.

Receipts indicated purchases at South Florida stores in the weeks preceding.

Trump also survived a shooter from a roof in Butler, Pa., 65 days earlier. He was hit in the ear by one of eight bullets fired. He went on to win his second term in the White House, rolling 93-0 in electoral college votes for the seven battleground states.