margarita25
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Charges to be dismissed in Phoenix freeway shooting case
The man authorities have described as the Phoenix freeway shooter who terrorized the city last year received a huge victory Friday with prosecutors deciding to dismiss all charges — for now.
Jerry Cobb, spokesman for Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, said that the office filed a motion to dismiss the charges, which include carrying out a drive-by shooting, without prejudice against Leslie Merritt Jr.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=39465205
Thanks for the update, KayElJay.
Also from the above link:
""In conjunction with (the Department of Public Safety), we have identified additional forensic investigation that needs to be completed in order for the case to proceed," Cobb said.
This action will allow them "the necessary time" to file charges again, Cobb added. He declined to comment further."
Snip
"He was released from jail Tuesday after a judge reduced his bond — once set at $1 million — to zero. He was allowed to return home under electronic monitoring."
*more at link. It says his lawyers say his phone records and the ballistics information provide him an alibi.
Judge Warren Granville imposed the gag order. As a result, lawyers said they could not discuss the evidence that prompted the shift in bond. Defense attorneys have said ballistic tests cast doubt on authorities' claims that he was behind four of the freeway shootings. The investigation into the other shootings remains open."