• U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon denied Ryan Routh’s request to unseal the jury questionnaire for his trial, citing the need to protect an impartial jury. Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump in September 2024, faces multiple federal charges, including illegal firearm possession and assault.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected Ryan Routh’s request to unseal the jury questionnaire for his upcoming trial, citing concerns over tainting the jury pool. The 59-year-old, accused of lying in wait with a rifle at Trump International Golf Club in September 2024, faces five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.

Routh’s legal team argued for transparency in pre-trial proceedings, seeking to make the jury selection process fully public. However, Cannon stated in her order that sealing parts of the process was necessary to ensure an “uncontaminated, impartial jury.” She emphasized balancing public interest in open judicial proceedings with the need for a fair trial.

Alleged Plot Against President Trump

On September 15, 2024, authorities allege that Routh hid near President Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, armed with a rifle and intent to kill. The alleged incident unfolded just two months before the presidential election, adding to the high stakes.

According to federal prosecutors, Routh was apprehended near the property after being spotted by security personnel. The rifle in his possession reportedly had its serial number obliterated, a key factor in one of the charges against him.

Routh, a convicted felon, is also accused of illegally owning firearms and assaulting a federal officer during the arrest. Investigators have yet to confirm a motive, but court filings suggest a premeditated act targeting the then-candidate.

Judge Cannon’s Rulings and Routh’s Legal Challenges

Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, has consistently ruled against Routh in the lead-up to the trial. In May, she denied his motions to dismiss two charges related to firearm possession and rejected efforts to suppress a witness’s identification of him shortly after the alleged assassination attempt.

In her latest decision, Cannon outlined why the jury questionnaire and discussions about it would remain confidential. “Sealing Part II of the status conference is a necessary and sufficiently tailored means of avoiding the significant risk of tainting the jury pool,” she wrote.

The judge also denied Routh’s request to attend the status conference virtually. The hearing is set for Wednesday in Fort Pierce, with the trial scheduled to begin on September 8.

High Stakes and Public Interest

This case marks the second alleged attempt on President Trump’s life during the 2024 campaign trail. The first occurred in July at a rally in Pennsylvania, where the suspected gunman was killed.

Legal experts point to the challenges of ensuring an unbiased jury in a trial involving a high-profile political figure. “The public interest is immense, but so is the need for procedural fairness,” said attorney Mark Owens, unaffiliated with the case.

Routh’s trial will determine whether his actions amount to a coordinated assassination attempt or a lesser criminal act. Conviction could lead to a life sentence, highlighting the gravity of the charges against him.

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