Jury recommends life without parole for Desmonte Leonard

A jury has recommended life without parole for a Montgomery man convicted in a fatal shooting that killed two Auburn football players and third man.

The jury voted 7-5 Thursday on the sentence for Desmonte Leonard. The 24-year-old Montgomery native was convicted earlier this week in the deaths of ex-Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips in June 2012. Demario Pitts of Opelika also was killed.

Leonard was convicted of capital murder, three counts of assault and attempted murder. He faced either a life sentence or the death penalty.

Leonard’s defense attorneys argued that a fight led up to the shooting and Leonard fired in self-defense. Prosecutors disputed that and said Leonard aimed at the victims.

Prosecutors say Leonard should be executed for the shooting deaths of ex-Auburn players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips in June 2012. Demario Pitts of Opelika also was killed.

 

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