The man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump left a note stating his intention to kill the former president after stalking him for a month. Prosecutors revealed today that Ryan Routh penned a letter to a friend, assuming his assassination attempt would ultimately fail.
The letter, addressed “Dear World,” was left in a box at an unidentified person’s home, who contacted law enforcement following Routh’s arrest. It read: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 (£112,000) to whomever can complete the job.”
The box also contained ammunition, a metal pipe, and other items, and was not opened until after Routh was arrested. The recipient, who alerted the authorities, was not identified in the Justice Department’s detention memo. In today’s prosecution filing, lawyers stated that on August 14, “Routh travelled from the Greensboro, North Carolina, area to West Palm Beach, Florida.”
They added: “On multiple days and times from August 18, 2024, to September 15, 2024, Routh’s cell phone accessed cell towers located near Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago.”
The memo was lodged in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where Routh faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Prosecutors revealed he also had a list of dates and venues where the businessman was due to appear in his car.
These new allegations were part of a detention memo filed prior to a hearing where the Justice Department was anticipated to argue that the 58 year old should remain incarcerated as the case progresses. The details are intended to bolster the prosecution’s argument that Routh had planned to assassinate Trump before the Secret Service foiled the plot, the Mirror reports.
An agent noticed a rifle protruding from bushes on the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing, subsequently opening fire on the suspect. A lawyer for Routh did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Authorities who inspected his car discovered six mobile phones, one of which displayed a Google search on how to travel from Palm Beach County to Mexico. They also found a list with dates in August, September and October and venues where Trump had appeared or was scheduled to, according to prosecutors.
A notebook found in his car was filled with criticism of the Russian and Chinese governments and notes about how to join the war on behalf of Ukraine.
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