The legal case against Ryan Routh, the man accused in the second assassination attempt on former President Trump, has taken a new turn as federal prosecutors asked for an indefinite delay in scheduling his trial. In a significant development on Wednesday, prosecutors filed a motion requesting that the case be officially classified as “complex” due to the sheer volume of evidence amassed since Routh’s arrest.
The scale of the investigation is staggering. The filing, submitted to Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon, outlined the extensive nature of the inquiry, which has spanned multiple states, involved hundreds of witness interviews, and led to the seizure of massive amounts of digital evidence. According to prosecutors, they are currently sitting on approximately 4,000 terabytes (or 4 million gigabytes) of data to review—an enormous cache that includes thousands of videos, still images, text files, and audio recordings.
Since Routh’s arrest on September 15, the government’s investigation has continued at a breakneck pace. Investigators executed 13 search warrants across Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina, collecting a mountain of physical and digital evidence. They are also waiting on more than 100 subpoena returns and have yet to complete several key forensic tests, including ballistic analyses and fingerprint and DNA comparisons. With the investigation still in full swing, prosecutors argue that there simply isn’t enough time to sift through the evidence, prepare expert witnesses, and adequately present their case.
This request to delay the trial indefinitely is not uncommon in cases of this complexity, particularly when the investigation involves large amounts of digital and forensic evidence. What makes this situation even more unusual is that Routh’s defense team has agreed to the delay, allowing both sides additional time to comb through the voluminous discovery. Prosecutors are asking not only for a delay in the trial itself but also for an indefinite postponement of motion deadlines and other key pre-trial milestones.
Routh, who has pleaded not guilty, faces serious charges, including attempted assassination of a former president. He was previously charged with illegal possession of a firearm, including one with a scratched-out serial number, a detail that adds another layer of legal complexity to the case. Routh remains in custody, having been denied bail.
The circumstances surrounding Routh’s arrest were nothing short of dramatic. Authorities claim that on September 15, he was found hiding in the bushes near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, armed with a rifle. Trump was reportedly on the course at the time. It was a sharp-eyed Secret Service agent who spotted the rifle barrel poking out from the bushes, prompting immediate action. The agent fired at Routh, who fled the scene, only to be apprehended shortly afterward.
The attempt on Trump’s life, coming after he left office, shocked many, and the investigation into Routh’s motives, background, and possible accomplices is still ongoing. With the Secret Service, FBI, and other agencies involved, this case represents a significant national security issue, which explains the meticulous care taken by investigators. The public will undoubtedly continue to watch this case closely as more details emerge.
