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Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:05 PM Apr 2016

Arizona freeway shooting suspect wins release from jail

Source: Associated Press

Arizona freeway shooting suspect wins release from jail

Ryan Van Velzer, Associated Press

Updated 9:09 pm, Tuesday, April 19, 2016

PHOENIX (AP) — A man charged in freeway shootings that rattled Phoenix last year was released from jail Tuesday amid questions about the evidence that authorities say links him to the crimes.

The release of Leslie Merritt Jr. came after a judge reduced his bond to zero and said he can return to his home under electronic monitoring.

"I am just ready to go home and be with my kids," Merritt said moments after walking out of jail.

The reduction of the bond — once $1 million — was a major victory as defense lawyers contend that ballistic tests cast doubt on the claim by authorities that Merritt was behind four of the freeway shootings.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Judge-allows-release-of-Arizona-freeway-shooting-7257801.php

5 replies

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Highlight:

Arizona freeway shooting suspect wins release from jail (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 2016 OP

Judge dismisses case against Leslie Merritt Jr.; investigation 'botched,' freeway-shooting victim cl mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #1

The bottom line is that this guy spent seven months in jail, and the prosecution doesn't have a case Yo_Mama Apr 2016 #4

This arrest always did smell bad to me NobodyHere Apr 2016 #2

If this isn't the scumbag, then hopefully they catch the loser rockfordfile Apr 2016 #3

Judge much? You can't tell what people are just by looking at them. Yo_Mama Apr 2016 #5

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,488 posts)

1. Judge dismisses case against Leslie Merritt Jr.; investigation 'botched,' freeway-shooting victim cl

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 09:30 AM

Apr 2016

WARNING - AUTOPLAY VIDEO

Judge dismisses case against Leslie Merritt Jr.; investigation 'botched,' freeway-shooting victim claims

Megan Cassidy, The Republic | azcentral.com 8:42 p.m. MST April 25, 2016

A Maricopa County judge has dismissed the case against Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., the 21-year-old landscaper who for months faced charges stemming from a string of freeway shootings that shook the Valley last summer.

No other suspects have been named to date. The case was dismissed without prejudice, though, leaving open a window for prosecutors to refile charges in the future.

Monday’s ruling was a formality of sorts, capping off a ripple of bombshells delivered last week.

First it was revealed in court that a state-funded expert had called into question ballistics evidence that had served as the lynchpin in the state’s case against Merritt. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren Granville subsequently lowered Merritt's bond to zero from $150,000, allowing Merritt to walk out of jail hours later.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)

4. The bottom line is that this guy spent seven months in jail, and the prosecution doesn't have a case

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 09:45 PM

Apr 2016

First, that's a gross injustice, and second, it probably impeded the investigation.

Because after seven months, if they don't have a case, I think they are not going to have one against this guy. I assume his defense attornies will follow through to get the charges dismissed with prejudice in May.

I realize that these types of random attacks are very difficult to investigate, but this stinks to high heaven.

NobodyHere

(2,810 posts)

2. This arrest always did smell bad to me

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 03:14 PM

Apr 2016

rockfordfile

(8,704 posts)

3. If this isn't the scumbag, then hopefully they catch the loser

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 07:59 PM

Apr 2016

If this isn't the scumbag, then hopefully they catch the loser. The guy in the picture looks like a skinhead wannabe.

I wouldn't be surprised if the pos is a republican, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a NRA member.

Still embarrassing for Arizona to have people shot at by a loser and not have the shooter arrested.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)

5. Judge much? You can't tell what people are just by looking at them.

Reply to rockfordfile (Reply #3)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 09:48 PM

Apr 2016

I would guess that if a young man finds himself in prison for seven months, he's going to try to look tough.

To me, he just looks very, very young.

I hope they do find the shooter. Not nice to think about someone wandering around out there who gets jollies from randomly shooting at people.

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