In America’s legal system, the precedent of “innocent until proven guilty” is a cornerstone of justice, even in high-profile cases involving assassination attempts on former presidents.

Ryan Wesley Routh appeared in a West Palm Beach, Florida federal courthouse on Monday, pleading not guilty to charges related to an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The charges against Routh include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, firearms-related offenses, and assaulting a federal officer.

These charges stem from an incident on September 15, where authorities claim Routh was observed near Trump’s golf course. According to officials, a Secret Service agent intervened after spotting what appeared to be a rifle barrel near the golf course where Trump was playing. Frightened, the 58-year-old fled and was later apprehended by police in a neighboring county.

Back at the scene, authorities recovered several items belonging to the suspect, including a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded SKS-style rifle equipped with a scope and an extended magazine, as well as a plastic bag containing food.

Authorities report that no shots were fired and Trump was not in the line of sight at the time of the incident.

As part of their efforts to lock him up for life, prosecutors have presented evidence of a handwritten note written by Routh expressing intentions to harm the former president. According to the Guardian, investigators found the note in a box delivered to an unnamed witness which had been sent months prior to his arrest. It also mentioned a financial offer of $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job” in case he failed in his deadly mission.