Freeway Shooting Suspect Sent Home, Charges Remain

When he was arrested, many people doubted authorities had their man, and on Tuesday, Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., accused of a string of Interstate 10 shootings left jail.

He told reporters that he wanted to be home with his child. “I told you when I first got arrested that I didn’t do it. I’m telling you now that I’m going home, I didn’t do it.”

“The state’s case against Merritt appeared to have been thrown into turmoil after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren Granville’s ruling in a Tuesday morning hearing, according to the Arizona Republic. “The judge acted to modify Merritt’s release conditions after a defense motion that called into question the ballistics evidence that prosecutors say links Merritt to the crimes. Granville found that there was a “material fact” not presented earlier in the case.”

Merritt is still facing charges including drive-by shooting and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Merritt’s attorney, Jason Lamm, “There’s no evidence against him. He’s no more the I-10 shooter than you are,” referring to an independent ballistics analysis.

About M. Perez - ADI Staff Reporter 362 Articles
Under the leadership of ADI Editor In Chief Huey Freeman, our team of staff reporters work tirelessly to bring the latest, most accurate news to our readers.