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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Would-Be Trump Assassin Wants to See His Mom

LAS VEGAS (CN) — The man jailed on suspicion of trying to assassinate Donald Trump wants to see his mother, and a Tuesday morning hearing in Federal Court will determine whether he can see her, and an attorney, to try to go home to England.

Michael Steven Sandford roamed the United States for one and one-half years before he was arrested in June, after trying to wrest a gun from a police officer at a Trump rally in a Las Vegas casino.

He is charged with two counts of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and one count of disrupting government business functions.

An 11 a.m. Tuesday, his mother, Lynn Sandford, and her attorney Saimo Chalal will ask to meet with Sandford's jailed son, to discuss repatriation to England, and other issues.

Michael Sandford is represented by federal public defender Rene L. Valladares and assistant public defender Brenda Weksler.

"Sandford is in a very vulnerable mental state. He is 20 years of age, has never been incarcerated and suffers from serious psychological problems," Valladares and Weksler say in their request for visitation and expedited treatment.

The attorneys say Sandford has no family or friends in the United States and has been on suicide watch. A psychiatrist hired to help with his defense says in the Aug. 10 submission that "Sandford's psychological state would greatly benefit from the ability to meet with his mother in person."

Sandford is incarcerated at the Nevada Southern Detention Center, where visitation policy allows only video-conferencing.

Valladares and Weksler have asked U.S. Marshal Steve Carpenter to see if the Southern Nevada Detention Center will make an exception and allow an in-person visit there.

Barring that, ask the court to allow an in-person consultation at the U.S. Marshal's lock-up, with the attorneys present.

Sandford's mother says he is afflicted with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

Sandford, of Dorking, Surrey, tried to take a gun from a police officer's holster on June 18 during a Trump rally at the Mystere Theatre in the Treasure Island Casino. He allegedly told arresting officers he wanted to kill Trump, and would try again if he were released.

Sandford's parents say he has been in the United States for about 18 months. Federal authorities say he has been in here illegally for the past year.

His jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 3.

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