Suspect of Trump assassination laughs and smiles at his first court appearance in Florida

The suspect in the second assassination attempt on former President Trump laughed and smiled before his first court appearance in Florida on Monday.

Fox News noted that Ryan Wesley Routh, who was wearing prison garb and handcuffs and shackles, smiled and laughed about three to four times as he spoke with his public defender before the hearing began.

No cameras were allowed at the hearing in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obscured serial number.

Routh, 58, appeared fully engaged at Monday’s hearing, answering all of the judge’s questions during the roughly 10-minute hearing. He will be formally arraigned on Sept. 30.

Fox News has been told that additional federal charges are possible. The initial charges announced Monday keep Routh in custody.

Witness saw Trump assassination suspect flee from bushes, took photo of getaway car

Ryan Routh is accused of aiming an AK-47 at former President Trump on Sunday as he played golf at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Obtained from Fox News Digital)

On Monday, the judge read the possible penalties for each of the charges. The first offense carries a penalty of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release. The second offense carries a penalty of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release. Routh responded “yes” when asked if he understood the penalties.

The judge also asked Routh if he could afford his own defense attorney or if he needed a public defender. Routh said he did not have enough income, and when asked by the judge, he replied that he made about $3,000 a month, had no savings and owned no real estate. Routh also told the court he owned two trucks in Hawaii worth about $1,000 each, partially supported his 25-year-old son and owned no jewelry.

US Attorney Adam McMichael requested that Routh remain in custody, arguing that he posed a risk of fleeing trial and citing an alleged attempt to obstruct the trial.

The prosecution had requested that the pre-trial detention be held for three days, but the defense requested five days for better preparation, which the judge granted.

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The detention hearing is scheduled for September 23, and the hearing to determine sufficient suspicion is scheduled for September 30.

Routh was arrested Sunday afternoon after authorities saw a rifle barrel sticking out of a bush at the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing.

Secret Service agents stationed a few holes away from Trump’s golf course spotted the muzzle of an AK rifle sticking out of the bushes lining the course about 400 yards away.

Although authorities initially described the weapon as an AK rifle, court documents obtained by Fox News say agents later found an SKS rifle in the area from which Routh fled.

The Trump International Golf Club on Monday, September 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

In the affidavit attached to the criminal complaint, an FBI agent wrote that, to the best of his training and knowledge, this type of rifle is not manufactured in Florida. This suggests that the SKS rifle seized from the tree line at Trump International Golf Course had previously been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. The serial number was “obscured” and not readable with the naked eye, the document said.

An agent fired, Routh dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV. He left behind the weapon as well as two backpacks, a rifle scope and a GoPro camera, authorities said.

An FBI agent outside the Trump International Golf Club following the suspected assassination attempt on former President Trump, Monday, September 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Authorities say a witness observed and photographed Routh as he emerged from the bushes and jumped into a car. Routh was later stopped by police in a neighboring county.

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This was apparently the second assassination attempt on Trump within two months. On July 13, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Fox News’ Shona Holagh and Heather Lacy and the Associated Press contributed to this report.