Trump Would-Be Assassin’s Defense Strategy Revealed
Sirius XM’s Megyn Kelly and attorney Matt Murphy discussed on a podcast Wednesday that former President Donald Trump’s second alleged shooter might claim he didn’t intend to harm anyone as a legal defense since he never fired any shots.
On Sunday, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested after allegedly attempting to assassinate Trump at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. During “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Kelly asked Murphy if Routh’s defense attorneys could argue that he was simply trying to scare Trump rather than harm him.
Megyn Kelly, Attorney Discuss If Alleged Second Would-Be Trump Assassin Has Any Possible Legal Defense: 'wasn't going to kill anybody' https://t.co/C0u9ueoQIA pic.twitter.com/ubIt7Fpa9z
— Janie Johnson – America is Exceptional (@jjauthor) September 18, 2024
“Could he argue, Matt, ‘I wasn’t going to kill anybody?’ This isn’t like Butler, where the shooter fired shots, took a man’s life, and hit Trump. Could he argue, ‘I wanted him to listen to me about Ukraine? My plan was to get him, you know, to a point where he was scared and just to hear me out?’” Kelly inquired.
Kelly noted that Routh had a GoPro and “ceramics” in his backpack, which she learned were meant to provide some protection against gunfire. “But that shows only that he was worried about somebody shooting him, not that he was necessarily going to shoot someone. So couldn’t a clever defense attorney potentially get him off on an argument like that since he didn’t actually pull the trigger?” she asked.
Why is a @SecretService agent, involved in the Trump assassination attempt, hiring an anti-Trump deep state lawyer?
What’s his agenda? pic.twitter.com/BQeURn7V2x
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 21, 2024
Murphy agreed with Kelly’s insight, emphasizing Routh’s possession of “ceramic plates,” indicating he was preparing for a confrontation. “I think you hit the nail on the head. I think we’re going to see something almost exactly like that,” Murphy said, clarifying that the plates are designed to stop high-caliber ammunition used by military and law enforcement.
“That also shows preparation, and you’re right, that indicates he’s preparing to engage in a gun battle,” Murphy added. He explained that while soft armor might protect against handguns, the ceramic plates are meant for rifles like those carried by the Secret Service, suggesting this was a well-planned scheme.
Murphy mentioned that Routh’s defense might claim he sought “attention,” but he doubted that would resonate well with a Florida jury. “But I think based on the evidence we have so far, this was a 7.62 magazine with live ammunition in it, so good luck with that one, especially with the Florida jury,” he remarked.
At the time of the incident, a Secret Service agent spotted “a rifle barrel sticking out of the fence” and engaged Routh, who then fled the scene. He was later apprehended with an “AK-47 style rifle with a scope” and two backpacks containing ceramic plates and a GoPro.
