By Andrew Goudsward

FORT PIERCE, Florida (Reuters) -The criminal trial of the man accused of trying to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course begins with opening statements on Thursday, with defendant Ryan Routh representing himself in a proceeding set to showcase the increasing prominence of political violence in the U.S.

Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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The trial is set to start the day after right-wing activist and influential Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University, marking the latest instance of political viole

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