FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Judge Aileen Cannon cut off Ryan Routh minutes into his opening statement as he diverged into criticizing Vladimir Putin and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and how we are “doing nothing” in response to their actions.
Routh took jurors on a journey through human existence beginning “5.2 million years ago,” questioning how we became “so filled with hate.”
“Modern trials seem to eliminate all that is human,” he said, emphasizing intent is what matters.
“Why are we here?” he said. “What is our intent every day?”
Cannon asked Routh if any of the subjects in his opening statement concerned evidence relating to his case. Routh replied his remarks would focus on peacefulness, non-violence and gentleness.
“It’s hard for me to predict where you will go, sir,” Cannon said, cautioning him against making a “mockery of the dignity of this courtroom” before calling the jury back in and giving him one more chance to continue.
“This case hangs on intent,” Routh told the jury. He then launched into a description of human inventions.
“That is America,” he continued.
Cannon again interrupted, admonishing him for reading remarks that have “absolutely nothing to do with the case.”
“That will conclude your opening remarks,” she said.
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