Florida authorities are taking further legal action against Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. This action stems from a car crash resulting in serious injuries to a child, occurring shortly after Routh’s apprehension.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the pursuit of additional charges against Ryan Wesley Routh following a multi-vehicle crash that seriously injured a 6-year-old girl. The crash happened after Routh’s arrest, as officials had stopped traffic on Interstate 95 to catch him. Moody revealed she is seeking a charge of attempted felony murder, linking the suspect’s actions to the traffic incident.
According to a state investigation, the collision that injured the young girl occurred approximately 30 minutes following Routh’s arrest. The crash, Moody argues, was a direct consequence of Routh’s conduct. She emphasized that the combination of the child’s injuries and Routh’s alleged criminal behavior, which she believes amounts to domestic terrorism, justifies the attempted felony murder charge. Prosecutors plan to file this charge once Routh is in state custody.
Routh is currently facing federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and related gun crimes. He has entered a plea of not guilty. Investigators assert that Routh meticulously planned the attack on Trump, intending to carry it out at his West Palm Beach country club. However, a Secret Service agent noticed Routh before he could execute the attack, forcing him to flee.
Routh’s arrest occurred amidst heightened security after an earlier incident where Trump was shot and injured at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has admitted to lapses in security at that time but maintains that their measures successfully prevented a more severe incident in Florida. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has confirmed the state’s independent investigation, aiming to explore charges that might not be pursued federally.
Such parallel investigations between state and federal agencies are not unusual, as they enable comprehensive legal responses to criminal acts.
The ongoing legal proceedings against Ryan Wesley Routh highlight complex legal interactions between federal and state jurisdictions. As the case progresses, it underscores the serious nature of the charges and the wider implications of domestic terrorism-related activities.
Source: News4jax
