Routh Seeks Postponement of Trial Related to Trump Assassination Attempt
His lawyers stated that “discovery delays and the extraordinary volume of discovery have made the current trial schedule incompatible” with due process rights.
Attorneys representing Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of trying to assassinate then-presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, have submitted a request to a federal judge to postpone the trial until at least December 2025 due to the extensive evidence that needs to be reviewed.
Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial for February in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The following day, Cannon asked for a response from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is handling Routh’s prosecution, and instructed both parties to prepare for a hearing regarding the motion on December 11.
Routh’s motion emphasizes the vast amount of documents and expert testimony involved, mentioning that the DOJ had requested a second, one-terabyte hard drive for further discovery on December 5.
The discovery materials thus far include electronic data downloaded from 18 phones, expert analyses, data from several tablets and laptops, video surveillance footage, financial records, about 3,000 photographs, travel documentation, and additional evidence.
Related Stories
“Reading thousands of pages, watching numerous hours of video, and analyzing tens of thousands of digital documents will necessitate several months,” Routh’s legal team noted.
“Once a significant portion of the discovery is reviewed, counsel will need to arrange for scene evaluations and evidence inspections,” they added. “Defense experts also need to be brought on board to examine and analyze parts of the discovery.”
“A December 2025 trial date would provide the defense with about one year from the beginning of discovery receipt to prepare, conforming with the scheduling practices for major cases in this jurisdiction, which typically allows for one year before trial.”
According to Routh’s motion, the DOJ has expressed a willingness to delay the trial, although they do not support a postponement until December 2025.
The DOJ argued that such a delay would be “unreasonable,” particularly given that a substantial portion of the discovery belongs to the defendant, there are stipulations available to streamline trial preparation, and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act entitles victims to a trial without undue delays. They also highlighted Routh’s alleged documented attempts to influence the jury pool.
In response, Routh’s attorneys asserted that they have “not yet reviewed any discovery to support the claim that the defendant is attempting to influence the jury pool.”
Cannon had presided over two previous cases involving Trump, including the classified documents case, which she dismissed in July concerning the legality of special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment.
Routh, aged 58, faces charges of attempted assassination, along with additional charges including assaulting a Secret Service agent.
