A federal judge in Florida has once again denied an attempt by Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course last year, to narrow the scope of his criminal prosecution. This time, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected Routh’s motion to suppress an “out-of-court” witness identification.
The ruling, issued Saturday, came just days after Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee also known for her significant rulings in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, dismissed Routh’s bid to throw out two of the five federal charges against him.
Routh had sought to suppress a “show-up” witness identification, a procedure where a suspect is presented individually to a witness shortly after a crime. His defense argued this method, as employed in his case, was “unduly suggestive” and violated his due process rights.
They highlighted that the witness was flown by helicopter to a closed-down I-95, where Routh was presented in handcuffs as the sole option for identification, followed by the FBI showing a single photo of him. “With these repeated, high-pressured, police-influenced identification tactics, any well-meaning civilian would be predisposed to make such an identification,” Routh’s lawyers contended.
However, Judge Cannon was unpersuaded, stating in her order that Routh’s motion failed to provide sufficient justification for suppression or the need for an evidentiary hearing. She noted his argument lacked critical facts “other than one conclusory, speculative, and indefinite line.”
Cannon found that police “acted promptly” and provided “careful warnings” to the witness, emphasizing they should not feel pressured and that the investigation would continue regardless of their identification. “These actions did not unconstitutionally enhance the suggestiveness of the show up,” Cannon wrote, adding that the circumstances cited by the defense—such as the number of officers, blocked highway, handcuffs, and helicopter transport—did not, individually or combined, warrant a different conclusion based on existing legal precedents.
READ: Would-Be Trump Assassin Sought RPG To Shoot Down Trump’s Plane, DOJ Alleges
The alleged assassination attempt occurred in September 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. A Secret Service agent reportedly spotted Routh with a rifle near the 6th hole as Trump was golfing one hole behind. After the agent opened fire, Routh allegedly fled. A witness who saw him emerging from the woods later identified Routh with what police described as “99.9 percent” certainty.
Routh faces a five-count federal indictment, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assault of a federal officer.
On May 22, Judge Cannon denied his motion to dismiss two other counts: possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and illegally owning a firearm as a convicted felon. Routh, who has a prior conviction for possession of dynamite, had argued these charges were unconstitutional and violated his Second Amendment rights.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges. He also faces state charges, including attempted first-degree murder and terrorism. If convicted in the federal case, he could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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