(NewsNation) —The trial for Ryan Routh, who is representing himself against federal charges related to an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last year, will begin with opening statements Thursday.
Routh, 59, and prosecutors whittled down a pool of jurors, arriving at the final batch with four alternates during jury selection, which took less than three days this week.
The trial comes almost exactly a year after prosecutors said a U.S. Secret Service agent intercepted Routh’s attempt to shoot Trump, who was campaigning for the presidency at the time.
While a judge has allowed Routh to act as his own attorney, court-appointed attorneys have been ordered to remain as standby counsel.
Ryan Routh faces trial for Trump assassination plot: What to know
Routh is accused of staking out Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, for 12 hours on his golf course in West Palm Beach, hiding in a tree line.
Authorities said a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter security sweep saw Routh in the brush along the fence near the sixth hole.
Routh allegedly aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing him to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot, according to the Justice Department.
He was later arrested after being identified by a witness who said they saw him running from the scene, authorities said.
Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer and attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
Routh has pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
