Suspect in 2nd Trump assassination attempt laughs, smiles in court as he’s hit with 2 federal gun charges

Would-be Trump assassin suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, wearing shackles and jail scrubs on Monday, laughed and smiled during his first court appearance for the suspected attempt on Trump's life on Sunday.  

He laughed and smiled around four times as he was speaking to his court-appointed lawyer, Fox News reported. No cameras were permitted inside the court hearing, where he is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as well as possession of a firearm with a destroyed serial number.  

Routh appeared engaged and answered all questions asked by the judge in the 10-minute hearing on Monday, he will be formally arraigned on Sept. 30. The outlet reported that other charges are possible and the initial charges on Monday will keep Routh in custody pending more court proceedings.  

The judge read off the penalties charged so far in the case, which includes a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release for the first offense of possessing a firearm as a felon. The second charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, as well as supervised release from prison. Routh told the judge "Yes" when he was asked if he understood the penalties associated with the charges.  

Routh told the judge that he does not have enough income to hire his own attorney and would have to use a public lawyer in the case. He told the judge that he makes $3,000 a month, and has nothing in savings and nothing in real estate holdings.  

US Attorney Adam McMichael asked that Routh remain in custody, citing Routh would be a pre-trial flight risk. The detention hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 and the probable cause hearing has been set for Sept. 30.