Alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen in court, charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump
Washington: Alleged Washington hotel gunman Cole Tomas Allen faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after being accused of attempting to assassinate the US president.
Allen appeared in court for the first time on Monday afternoon US time (Tuesday morning AEST) wearing a short-sleeved light blue prison uniform.
He appeared calm and answered the judge’s questions while his legal rights were read to him.
Allen was also charged with carrying a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony and use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. These crimes carry a potential sentence of 10 years in prison.
Allen will remain in police custody until Thursday, when he will have a bail hearing.
Both sides agreed to a preliminary hearing on May 11.
Federal prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said the government alleges Allen “attempted to assassinate the president of the United States with a 12-gauge shotgun.”
Prosecutors told the court the man was also allegedly found with a gun and three knives.
Allen’s court-appointed attorneys have stated that he has no prior convictions and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. district attorney for the District of Columbia, sat in the front row of the courtroom for the 10-minute hearing.
More to come
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
