Ryan Routh tries to stab himself in neck after Trump assassination attempt verdict

The man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen moments after being found guilty.

Ryan Routh, 59, made 17 trips to scope out Trump's West Palm Beach golf course ahead of the attempted killing, then hid in the bushes with a rifleas Trump's golfing party approached. He was charged with five criminal counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assaulting a Secret Service agent - following the incident on September 15 last year. After a brief deliberation, jurors returned a verdict of guilty on all charges, with Routh now facing life behind bars.

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When the verdict was read, Routh reportedly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen, and was stopped by four US Marshals who restrained him. His daughter, Sara Routh, is said to have stood up while the jury were present, and said: "Don't do anything. I will get you out. What the f***, f***, he didn't hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged - you guys are a**holes."

Routh was then removed from the room in handcuffs. During the sentencing, prosecutors outlined the extensive planning he carried out in the lead up to the assassination plot, including his purchase of a military-grade weapon, his research on Trump's movements and the use of a dozen burner phones.

The attempt on Trump's life came just nine weeks after the US President was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, by 20-year-old Thomas Crooks. Eight shots were fired at Trump, with just one bullet grazing his ear. Crooks was killed by Secret Service counter-snipers, officials said.

Following Routh's guilty verdict, Attorney General Pamela Bondi - one of Trump's defense lawyers during his first impeachment trial - wrote on X: "Today's guilty verdict against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh illustrates the Department of Justice's commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.

"This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation itself. I am grateful to @USAO_SDFL Jason Quinones, his entire trial team, and our law enforcement partners for protecting President Trump and securing this important verdict."

Routh, a construction worker with no legal training, dismissed his attorneys and represented himself in court, delivering what observers described as a rambling and erratic defence. Among his proposals was that the case should be decided by a golf match. He told jurors that he and Trump should face off on the green with the winner determining the fate of the loser.

If Trump won, Routh said, the president could execute him. If Routh won, he claimed he would become president. His courtroom behaviour repeatedly drew reprimands from Judge Aileen Cannon, who accused him of disregarding court rules.

She halted his opening statement after less than ten minutes when he veered into a discourse that touched on prehistoric human history and leaders ranging from Adolf Hitler to Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. "This case means absolutely nothing," Routh told jurors. "A life has been lived to the fullest."

During jury selection, he attempted to quiz prospective panellists on subjects including the US taking over Greenland, pro-Palestinian activism, and what they would do if a turtle crossed the road while they were driving. Cannon ruled the questions irrelevant and blocked them.