U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who oversaw and threw out special counsel Jack Smith's classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, was randomly assigned to preside over the case of his alleged would-be assassin, court documents showed.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who stands accused of attempting to assassinate Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, now faces a five-count indictment after a grand jury returned more serious charges on Tuesday.
Routh is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.
Originally charged on two gun counts, Routh is now also charged with attempted assassination of a political candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and a third gun charge. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if he's convicted.
Cannon was selected from a random draw of 10 federal judges, Politico reported.
Cannon dismissed the classified documents case in July, ruling that Smith was illegally appointed special counsel by the Justice Department. That ruling is being appealed.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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