Florida authorities have filed state charges against Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, stemming from a traffic accident during his police pursuit that left a young girl seriously injured, Politico reported.
Florida officials filed the first state charges against Routh; these charges, however, are unrelated to the alleged incident at Trump's West Palm Beach golf course in September. Instead, the charges focus on a traffic accident that occurred as Routh fled police, which left a six-year-old girl seriously injured.
State Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the charges on Wednesday during a press conference in Stuart, Florida, revealing that Routh faces charges of attempted felony murder for his alleged role in the accident.
"We felt compelled to seek justice on her behalf and her family," Moody said, emphasizing the state's commitment to accountability in the case.
Routh is already facing a range of federal charges, including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and assault of a federal officer. He remains in federal custody, with his attorneys reportedly considering an insanity defense.
The Florida investigation into Routh's actions was launched in September under the direction of GOP Governor Ron DeSantis, with Trump's support.
The investigation unfolded amidst skepticism from state officials about the FBI's impartiality, given its ongoing federal investigations into Trump himself.
DeSantis has publicly emphasized the importance of cooperation between federal and state law enforcement in cases like this. However, he also questioned whether the FBI could act neutrally, citing its involvement in other cases against Trump.
During the press conference, Moody criticized federal agents for being uncooperative in sharing evidence with state investigators. "We offered to be a partner … to provide an assurance, an accountability that a trusted independent partner was part of the process," she said.
Federal officials have defended their handling of the case. The Department of Justice previously stated its commitment to ensuring justice and accountability, though it declined to comment further on the state's charges.
The clash between federal and state authorities escalated in October when Moody filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The lawsuit sought to block federal attempts to suspend Florida's investigation, citing a federal law prioritizing federal jurisdiction in cases involving crimes against prominent public figures.
"It was made known that they intended to shut down our investigation and invoke federal jurisdiction," Moody said Wednesday. "We didn't believe it should be interpreted in the way that they suggested."
If convicted on federal charges, Routh could face life in prison for the attempted assassination of Trump. The state charges further compound the legal challenges facing him as the case unfolds.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.