Overview
- A federal jury in Fort Pierce found Routh guilty on five counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, after fewer than three hours of deliberation.
- Moments after the verdict, he tried to stab himself in the neck with a prison-safe pen before marshals restrained him, and no serious injury was reported.
- Prosecutors presented surveillance and digital records, photos of a concealed sniper position, and an SKS-style rifle, while a Secret Service agent testified he spotted Routh before any shot was fired.
- Judge Aileen Cannon allowed him to waive counsel after a competency review and an eight-factor test, then barred many of his proposed exhibits and witnesses as irrelevant or late; he called three witnesses and did not testify.
- Routh faces up to life in prison, is held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, and his daughter says she is seeking an appeal and pro bono legal help.