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Why was Ryan Routh allowed to defend himself during Trump attempted assassination trial?

Routh was ruled competent enough to represent himself, but tried to kill himself with a pen after verdict

Lothar Speer

This courtroom sketch shows U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon listening to Ryan Routh during his trial where he is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.

By: Ethan Stein

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A legal expert is questioning Ryan Routh's ability to represent himself after new court records reveal the dozens of exhibits he wanted to show the jury as evidence in the case.

Routh was found guilty of trying to assassinate Donald Trump in September 2024, along with four other related charges. He now faces the possibility of life in prison.

WATCH BELOW: Why was Routh allowed to defend himself during trial?

Why was Ryan Routh allowed to defend himself during Trump attempted assassination trial?

Routh was allowed to represent himself as his own defense attorney.

However, his defense only lasted less than three hours after a judge ruled his exhibits of evidence and witnesses couldn't be introduced to the jury.

Judge Aileen Cannon ruled these pieces of evidence were irrelevant to the trial and were submitted past the discovery deadline.

They include Routh's autobiography called "Not My America", a letter to the leaders of North Korea, various items related to his time in Ukraine, pieces of a skate park, various haikus, locker shelves he built, as well as his Eagle Scout application and dozens of other items.

Court records show a lot of Routh's witnesses were character witnesses, which were mostly ruled irrelevant to the case.

Attorney Michelle Suskauer told WPTV these pieces of evidence would have never been allowed in a courtroom. She said Routh's attempts to present this evidence are proof he doesn't understand the rules of evidence proficient enough to overcome her efforts.

"He's not familiar with the rules of federal criminal procedure, and he's not an experienced attorney, so that is certainly a detriment to him and his defense," Suskauer said.

Routh also stabbed himself with a pen after the verdict was read Tuesday afternoon. WPTV reporter Kate Hussey saw U.S. Marshals tackle Routh as his daughter screamed in the back of the courtroom.

Ryan Routh tries to stab self with pen after guilty verdict

Cannon allowed Routh to represent himself after a hearing earlier this year.

The hearing occurred after Routh asked the court to represent himself, which is his constitutional right under the 6th Amendment, and also requested his public defenders be removed from the case.

Cannon said Routh's forensic evaluation referenced that he had mixed personality features, but didn't impede his ability to knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to counsel.

The judge also used an eight-factor test to make the decision, which included:

Defendant's age, health and education
Defendant's contact with lawyers prior to trial
Defendant's knowledge of the nature of the charges and possible defenses and penalties
Defendant's understanding of the rules of evidence, procedure and courtroom decorum
Defendant's experience in criminal trials
Whether standby counsel was appointed and, if so, the extent to which standby counsel aided in the trial
Any mistreatment or coercion of the defendant
Whether the defendant was attempting to manipulate the trial

Regardless, Cannon repeatedly reprimanded Routh to follow the rules of evidence during the trial and asked questions to ensure he would follow the rules.

There were also consequences for not following the rules, including Routh's opening and closing statement being cut short, sudden calls for impromptu breaks and Routh occasionally appearing intimidated to object or challenge government prosecutors.

At one point during closing arguments, Routh even asked to reinstate his public defender. However, Cannon denied that request.

More of WPTV's coverage of Trump assassination attempt below: