Odd start for Trump kill-bid trial

The trial defence of Ryan Routh, the man charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at one of his golf courses in Florida last year, got off to a rocky start on Thursday after a federal judge cut off his opening statement for lack of relevance.

- STORY: DAVID C ADAMS / NYT

Mr Routh, 59, who chose to represent himself in court despite not being a lawyer, spoke for no more than five minutes before Judge Aileen Cannon of the US District Court in Fort Pierce, Florida, ended his opening statement.

Rather than lay out any sort of meaningful defence, he made unexplained references to the evolution and future of humankind, as well as to Adolf Hitler, Ukraine, Henry Ford and the Wright brothers.

"This case means absolutely nothing," Mr Routh, wearing a jacket and tie, said at one point. The judge warned him not to make a "mockery" of the court.

The unusual start to the trial underscored the perils of Mr Routh's self-representation in the face of serious charges. He has pleaded not guilty to trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate (as Mr Trump then was), assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations. The attempted assassination charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Opening statements in the trial began on Thursday, the day after influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, another episode of shocking violence in a nation where politically motivated attacks have surged.