FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Ryan Routh, the man on trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, accused federal prosecutors on Wednesday of making a “racist” choice during jury selection.
Twelve jurors and four alternates were picked before breaking for lunch on the third day of jury selection. While the parties were making their final choices, Routh objected that the government struck two African Americans “out of a very small pool.”
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon immediately questioned whether Routh, who is representing himself, had been consulting with standby attorneys on “substantive matters,” noting she previously told him he cannot have “hybrid counsel.”
“I’m hearing whispers,” she said, suggesting they had offered him legal advice. Routh, sitting at the defense table alone in a grey suit and green striped tie, replied that he is turning down offers of help.
“We have a racist situation that’s occurring,” Routh told Cannon. (RELATED: Would-Be Assassin Wanted Rocket Launcher To Shoot Down Trump’s Plane, DOJ Alleges)
Cannon questioned whether Routh was formally raising a Batson challenge, which is an objection that a party’s decision to exclude a juror was based on sex, race or ethnicity. Routh said he simply wanted the issue on the record “for appeal.”
Prosecutor Christopher Browne told Cannon that some of the stricken jurors were not actually African American, noting one was Haitian.
“There’s been no showing of purposeful discrimination,” Cannon said.
Routh faces five charges for allegedly attempting to kill Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024.
Earlier in the day, Routh asked the judge to strike for cause several jurors who previously served in law enforcement, arguing they would not be able to be fair in a criminal case.
Routh also expressed concern about jurors who suggested the trial would strain their personal schedule or require them to work after jury duty, telling Cannon it seems unfair for jurors to experience difficulties “because of me.”
The final jury included four white men, six white women, one black woman and one black man.
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