Trial For Triple-Murder Suspect, Desmonte Leonard, Begins
The trial for one of the most infamous murder cases in Lee County has begun. Desmonte Leonard is accused of murdering two former Auburn University football players and another man at an Auburn party in 2012.
Jury selection has been taking place all week. Desmonte Leonard’s trial started this afternoon. Our cameras were only allowed during the opening statements from the prosecution and the defense.
Leonard is facing Capital Murder, Attempted Murder and Assault charges.
It’s a trial that will define what’s next for him after Auburn Police say six people were shot at an off-campus apartment complex in June 2012.
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“In firing multiple round at these individuals, as many as nine that we know of because nine shell casings were recovered from the scene of this incident, three of those individuals died,” Said Lee County Assistant District Attorney, Kisha Abercrombie.
Two former Auburn University players, Ed Christian and Ladarius Phillips, were killed, as well as DeMario Pitts.
It’s why prosecuters say they’re seeking the death penalty. Leonard says he’s innocent, claiming the shootings were self-defense.
One of his defense attorneys, Jeff Duffy, says there was a fight outside of the apartment where Leonard’s friend was beat with a liquor bottle. He says watching that… Leonard thought he was going to die.
“Punching just as hard as he could, kicking him, they had him down on the ground,” Said Duffy. “And they were on the ground and Mr. Leonard thought he was going to die. So he pulled a pistol out and started shooting at these people.”
Police say Leonard escaped after the shootings happened. Then they got a tip he was hiding at a Montgomery home. After a nightlong standoff, investigators found no sign of Leonard.
He turned himself in to federal agents at a Montgomery courthouse three days after the shootings.
Part of the evidence the prosecution will show the jury is video from the apartment complex.
“In the video tape you cannot see the shooter as the line of sight of the camera stops the shot from being able to see six shots being fired ricocheted off the wall. You can even see people dropping, stepping out of the way. You cannot see the shooter,” Said Abrecrombie.
Witnesses also took the stand today, including officers who were at the apartment complex that night and people who were there watching the fight.
Alabama News Network will keep you updated with the latest on this trial. It will continue on Monday.
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