Jury Selection Begins in Federal Case Against Trump Attack Suspect | Crime Alert 6AM 09.08.25

Jury selection is underway in the federal trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump in Florida during the most recent presidential campaign.

In Texas, law enforcement in Cleveland—near Houston—is investigating a fatal shooting at a local bar.

A Washington, D.C. shooting has left another city reeling and prompted renewed focus on public safety.

In Tennessee, a judge has ruled the case against Austin Robert Drummond, accused of killing four family members and kidnapping a baby, may proceed to a grand jury.

A shooting in South Carolina is prompting renewed calls for hate-crime legislation in the state.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alert. I'm John Lemley. We begin this hour with
a notable development in the US criminal justice system. Jury's
selection underway now in the federal trial of Ryan Routh,
accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump in Florida during
the most recent presidential campaign. Federal court proceedings have commenced

(00:21):
in Fort Pierce, Florida, as officials began selecting a jury
for Routh's trial. Routh, now fifty nine, is charged with
attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer,
and multiple firearms violations. He has pleaded not guilty and
is representing himself, though court appointed council stands by should

(00:43):
he need assistance. According to court documents, US District Judge
Eileen Cannon has blocked some of Routh's proposed questions for
potential jurors, deeming them irrelevant, while allowing others from the
prosecution to proceed. Jury selection is expected to wrap up
in three days, with opening statements anticipated by Thursday. Prosecutors

(01:05):
alleged Rauth approached his target armed with a rifle, positioning
himself behind nearby shrubbery. Secret Service agents intervene preventing any
shots from being fired, and Routh was soon arrested afterward
with the aid of a civilian witness. The trial may
last fewer than the reserved four weeks, depending on how

(01:25):
swiftly the proceedings advance.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
Thanks John for the latest crime and justice news. Go
to crime online dot com and please join us for
our daily podcast Crime Stories, more crime and justice news
after this Now with the latest crime and justice breaking
news Crime Online John Limley.

Speaker 1 (01:46):
We turn now to Texas, where law enforcement in Cleveland
near Houston is investigating a fatal shooting at a local bar.
Police report that shortly after midnight Monday, a lone suspect
entered Alas Locas Casuals sports bar and restaurant, and after
conversing for around an hour, exited, only to return with

(02:06):
a weapon. He opened fire on patrons sitting on the patio,
critically injuring six people. One man was pronounced dead at
the scene, while two others were airlifted to area hospitals.
Investigators believe the suspect acted alone. He reportedly fled in
a white van distinguished by a long scratch along one side.

(02:27):
At this time, law enforcement has not released details regarding
the motive, suspect identity, or the condition of other victims.
The case remains under active investigation. A Washington, DC's shooting
has left another city reeling and prompted renewed focus on
public safety. Two seventeen year olds, Kelvin Thomas Junior and

(02:49):
Jalen Lucas, have been arrested and are now charged as
adults in connection with the fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian Yakim,
a twenty one year old congressional intern from Massachusetts. The
incident occurred June thirtieth near Mount Vernon Square. Tarpinian Yakim
was struck by four stray bullets and died at the scene.

(03:10):
A sixteen year old boy and a woman were also
wounded in the exchange. The victim had been interning for
Representative Ron Estes and was set to begin his senior
year at UMass Amherst. His death prompted a moment of
silence in the House of Representatives and attention from the
White House, where it was cited in discussions about bolstering

(03:30):
law enforcement. Authorities continue to seek a third suspect. City
and federal officials are calling for a renewed dialog on
juvenile crime and public safety in the Capitol new in Tennessee.
At this hour, a judge has ruled the case against
Austin Robert Drummond, accused of killing four family members and
kidnapping a baby, may proceed to a grand jury. Drummond,

(03:55):
who pleaded guilty, faces charges including first degree murder and
aggravated kis. FBI testimony confirmed cell phone data placed him
near the wooded area where four victims, James M. Wilson,
Adriana Williams, Braden Williams, and Courtney Rose were found shot
under tarps. Five others are charged as accessories. The abandoned

(04:17):
infant was found safe. Emotional reactions in court underscored public interest,
and a gag order was issued after Drummond spoke to
media from jail. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty if
he is convicted finally. In South Carolina, a shooting as
prompting renewed calls for hate crime legislation in the state.

(04:38):
A black man identified as Jarvis Mackenzie was shot at
while waiting to go to work. Authorities have characterized the
incident as racially motivated. Mackenzie is now advocating for stronger
hate crime protections, noting that his state is only one
of two without such statutes on the book. In response,
Sheriff Leon Lott and owner Henry McMaster have publicly discussed

(05:02):
the incident and the state's legislative options. Mackenzie's advocacy reflects
a growing concern over ensuring legal protections against bias motivated violence.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Thanks John for the latest crime injustice needs. Go to
crime online dot com and please join us for our
daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to
find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides. With
this crime alert, I'm Nancy Grace.