Trial begins for man accused of Trump assassination attempt in Florida

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00:00The trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump

00:04at his Florida golf club last year, is underway.

00:08Jury selection began Monday in federal court in Fort Pierce.

00:14Prosecutors say Routh, a 59-year-old from North Carolina, had a semi-automatic rifle

00:19and staked out the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach last September.

00:24A Secret Service agent spotted the weapon near the fence line,

00:27fired, and Routh fled without pulling the trigger.

00:31Court filings show he had spent weeks tracking Donald Trump's movements,

00:35scouting escape routes, even seeking heavier weapons,

00:38including an RPG, a Stinger missile, and a .50 caliber rifle.

00:43Investigators say the SKS rifle found at the course matched one he bought weeks earlier in North Carolina.

00:50Two people have already pleaded guilty to gun charges tied to that sale.

00:54Routh has pleaded not guilty, fired his public defenders, and is representing himself.

01:00His filings include personal attacks on Trump and even a bizarre proposal to settle the case with a golf match.

01:07Judge Aileen Cannon is presiding, allowing only a handful of his requested witnesses.

01:12Prosecutors plan to present FBI agents, local law enforcement, and the rifle as evidence.

01:18Opening statements are expected September 11th.

01:20The case is the first presidential assassination attempt trial since John Hinckley Jr. tried to kill Ronald Reagan in 1981.

01:28For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to san.com.