Ryan Routh, who tried to shoot Trump at Florida golf course, gets life in prison
Prosecutors argued that the would-be assassin was unrepentant and had never apologised
A man convicted of trying to assassinate US President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison.
US District Judge Aileen Cannon pronounced Ryan Routh’s fate in the same Fort Pierce courtroom that erupted into chaos in September when he tried to stab himself shortly after jurors found him guilty on all counts.
Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Routh was unrepentant and had never apologised. A defence lawyer brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.
Routh also received a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of his gun convictions.
Routh’s sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use a lawyer during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.
Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines.
