((HT: WTVM-TV/OANow.com, Taylor))
Desmonte Leonard was found guilty in the capital murders three people- two of them former Auburn University football players. DeMario Pitts, along with Lowndes High grad Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips were shot and killed at an Auburn, Alabama apartment complex in an incident in June 2012. Three others were injured in the shootings.
Lee County (AL) jurors found Leonard guilty on all but one of the six charges stemming from the shooting:
2nd degree assault for the shooting of Eric Mack
2nd degree assault for the shooting of Xavier Moss
1st degree assault for the shooting of John Robertson
The attempted murder of DeAngelo Benton
Capital murder for "killing two or more people in the same act"- Christian and Phillips
Leonard was found not guilty for attempted murder.
For the Taylor recap of the case that brought Leonard to trial:
During the trial, witness testimony indicated that prior to the shooting, Leonard had gotten involved in an altercation with former Auburn football player DeAngelo Benton, who instigated the quarrel.
Leonard’s attorneys contended Leonard feared for his life and fired the gun in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued Leonard was never in real danger and exhibited goal-oriented behavior during the shooting.
Without giving much detail, Leonard said she and Leonard’s other attorneys had a plan for how to present evidence to the jury to not give him the death penalty.
Here's Sharonda Woods, a sister of one of those who were murdered, discussing the verdict after everyone exited the courthouse
WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather
Wednesday, a jury begins the process of deciding the death penalty or life in prison without parole for Leonard.
Showing posts with label Ladarious Phillips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ladarious Phillips. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Monday, June 11, 2012
2 Arrested in connection to Auburn Shooting (PM UPDATE: Montgomery House Surrounded)
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| Desmonte Leonard |
No, they haven't found the accused shooter Desmonte Leonard, but Auburn Police did make two arrests Monday afternoon in the incident from Saturday night/Sunday morning that left 3 people dead and 3 others injured.
18-year old Jeremy Thomas was taken into custody and charged with hindering the investigation. Police are in the process of questioning him about the chain of events leading up to the shooting.
Also, Montgomery, Alabama police arrested 41-year old Gabriel Thomas and charged him with providing false information.
Read more about the arrests from AL.com RIGHT HERE
Unfortunately, the multitude of agencies searching for Leonard haven't found him yet. Both the U.S Marshall Service and the FBI are now involved in the state wide search.
Auburn football player Eric Mack, who was shot in the buttocks, was released from the hospital late Sunday and returned to the team's football center Monday morning where he was warmly welcomed by friends and teammates.
No word yet, that we know of, on services for 20-year old DeMario Pitts of Auburn or former Tiger football players Ed Christian and LaDarius Phillips.
We'll keep monitoring this story and let you know when we hear of Desmonte Leonard's arrest.
2010 UPDATE: Montgomery police have surrounded a house in East Montgomery and are operating under the assumption that Leonard is in the building. Police have not divulged the relationship between the house and why it would be the one occupied at present...
2120 UPDATE: Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange is calling the asituation at the house in East Montgomery as "a waiting game." Tear gas had been deployed at one moment toward the attic, and the feeling of all the manpower on hand is that the police forces will wait it out.
"Time is on our side. We know where someone is," Mayor Strange said. "I can only reiterate that we have two independent confirmations that we know it is that person. But whoever is in that house doesn't want to come out."
Strange is listing "a possibility" that the individual in the attic may be the subject of the manhunt and that the forces there will use the necessary force to remove the individual holed up safely.
One early note, it is now being disclosed that Ed Christian was attempting to break up the disagreement before he was shot and killed.
2210 UPDATE: The tactical team is inside the residence and has attempted to make contact with the individual that is, seemingly, holed up in the attic. The lower floor has been secured according to Montgomery Director of Public Safety Colonel Chris Murphy and the tactical unit is putting cameras in strategic points within the house. The units are also making their way to the upper levels of the house.
"We hear coughing and movement along with thermal imaging. Something is up there. It doesn't mean that the suspect is up there. At this time, I don't want us to jump to a conclusion," Mayor Todd Strange added.
0045 UPDATE Tuesday: The tactical unit is looking to do a more thorough job in the attic and Mayor Strange says that the situation is no different than earlier in the evening.
Roughly 30 to 40 people are in the process of letting the situation continue to play out. Early in the morning (according to Mayor Strange 8 or 9AM), there should be another press briefing- unless the situation ends sooner. The police personnel on site are planning to interrogate the person who called 9-1-1 and started the search in the house and/or siege in East Montgomery. No verbal contact has still been made with the individual they are in contact with in the house.
Two separate leads were given to Montgomery Police and technology has been used (and given positive results) hearing "human indicators" an individual is in the attic.
"We're not done and we're not going to be done until the individual is in custody," Colonel Murphy said at the last presser of the evening.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
BREAKING: 2 Former Auburn Players Shot Dead In Apartment Shooting (UPDATE: 3 Reported Dead, 4 Others Injured/Warrants Out On At-Large Suspect)
((HT: WTVM-TV Columbus, al.com/Goldberg))
Former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarius Phillips have been shot and killed at an Auburn, Alabama area apartment complex (University Heights) while current player Eric Mack is being treated at hospital. Two others have also reportedly been shot and the alleged shooter is still at large.
The Auburn, Alabama Police Department are holding a press conference later this morning to provide more details, but what is known is that several men were in an argument over a woman at a pool party and some who started in the argument returned with weapons and started shooting indiscriminately. The shooters have no link to the Auburn football program.
Here's video from the scene early this morning...
Samuel King is on site early this morning...
((HT: WSFA-TV Montgomery))
More when we know more...
NOON UPDATE: Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik referenced the Phillips family and said: "Anything that they need that the Auburn football family can provide, they will." He also was in contact with Phillips' high school coach early this morning to tell him the news...
Charles Goldberg is now listing the number of shot to as many as seven
Auburn Police are scheduling a 2PM EDT presser
1330 UPDATE: Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser, via his Twitter, is saying that, according to witness accounts, the pool party was moved into the apartment complex clubhouse because of rain and the alleged shooter blocked the exit and started shooting...
Also: Witness says gunman got into altercation with an unidentified Auburn football player, initially pledged to keep it "one on one."
Auburn University President Dr. Jay Gogue released the following statement:
"We’re deeply saddened about last night’s tragic events that impacted the Auburn community and the Auburn family. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the victims and their families. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We’re in constant contact with area authorities and will continue to assist in any way possible. Our attention is now focused on providing care and support to those touched by this tragedy.”
1400 UPDATE: The entire Auburn detectives section has been assigned to the shooting as well as other jurisdictions including multiple sheriff's, state, and federal agencies.
The vehicle that left the scene was found abandoned- a white Chevy Caprice. The 22-year-old suspect, Desmonte Leonard
(pictured, thanks Montgomery Advertiser/Auburn Police Department), of Montgomery is subject to an active manhunt. There are 2 other persons of interest. Leonard now has three warrants out on capital murder and is considered armed and dangerous.
The Victims (3): Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips, and Demario Pitts of Auburn
One (1) Treated and released: Xavier Moss
John Robertson is listed in critical condition in surgery at UAB Medical Center
Auburn football player Eric Mack is currently being treated at East Alabama Medical Center. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Police do have a motive, but they're not releasing it at present. They did confirm the idea of a pool party at the apartment complex. Police confirm that there is no connection between the football program at Auburn and the shooting.
Here are statements from Auburn University Head Coach Gene Chizik and Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs...
Coach Chizik...
"This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men, including two that I personally knew in Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips and my heart goes out to their families. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of the victims involved in this tragic incident. Nobody should ever have to endure such unimaginable grief, and we will love and support the victims' families during this terribly difficult time. We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we're going to do everything we can to help them get through this. We are relieved that Eric Mack, who was also a victim in this incident, is expected to make a full recovery. This is a very trying time for everyone involved, and I would just ask that you lift up the victims and their families in your prayers."
Jay Jacobs
"This is a tragic day for the entire Auburn community. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families who have been devastated by this senseless tragedy. We will support the families of the victims in the difficult days ahead in every way that we possibly can. Our student-athletes are obviously stunned and deeply saddened, and we are providing counseling and support for them as they grieve the loss of their teammates and friends."
More when we know more...
Former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarius Phillips have been shot and killed at an Auburn, Alabama area apartment complex (University Heights) while current player Eric Mack is being treated at hospital. Two others have also reportedly been shot and the alleged shooter is still at large.
The Auburn, Alabama Police Department are holding a press conference later this morning to provide more details, but what is known is that several men were in an argument over a woman at a pool party and some who started in the argument returned with weapons and started shooting indiscriminately. The shooters have no link to the Auburn football program.
Here's video from the scene early this morning...
Samuel King is on site early this morning...
((HT: WSFA-TV Montgomery))
More when we know more...
NOON UPDATE: Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik referenced the Phillips family and said: "Anything that they need that the Auburn football family can provide, they will." He also was in contact with Phillips' high school coach early this morning to tell him the news...
Charles Goldberg is now listing the number of shot to as many as seven
Auburn Police are scheduling a 2PM EDT presser
1330 UPDATE: Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser, via his Twitter, is saying that, according to witness accounts, the pool party was moved into the apartment complex clubhouse because of rain and the alleged shooter blocked the exit and started shooting...
Also: Witness says gunman got into altercation with an unidentified Auburn football player, initially pledged to keep it "one on one."
Auburn University President Dr. Jay Gogue released the following statement:
"We’re deeply saddened about last night’s tragic events that impacted the Auburn community and the Auburn family. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the victims and their families. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We’re in constant contact with area authorities and will continue to assist in any way possible. Our attention is now focused on providing care and support to those touched by this tragedy.”
1400 UPDATE: The entire Auburn detectives section has been assigned to the shooting as well as other jurisdictions including multiple sheriff's, state, and federal agencies.
The vehicle that left the scene was found abandoned- a white Chevy Caprice. The 22-year-old suspect, Desmonte Leonard
(pictured, thanks Montgomery Advertiser/Auburn Police Department), of Montgomery is subject to an active manhunt. There are 2 other persons of interest. Leonard now has three warrants out on capital murder and is considered armed and dangerous.
The Victims (3): Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips, and Demario Pitts of Auburn
One (1) Treated and released: Xavier Moss
John Robertson is listed in critical condition in surgery at UAB Medical Center
Auburn football player Eric Mack is currently being treated at East Alabama Medical Center. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Police do have a motive, but they're not releasing it at present. They did confirm the idea of a pool party at the apartment complex. Police confirm that there is no connection between the football program at Auburn and the shooting.
Here are statements from Auburn University Head Coach Gene Chizik and Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs...
Coach Chizik...
"This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men, including two that I personally knew in Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips and my heart goes out to their families. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of the victims involved in this tragic incident. Nobody should ever have to endure such unimaginable grief, and we will love and support the victims' families during this terribly difficult time. We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we're going to do everything we can to help them get through this. We are relieved that Eric Mack, who was also a victim in this incident, is expected to make a full recovery. This is a very trying time for everyone involved, and I would just ask that you lift up the victims and their families in your prayers."
Jay Jacobs
"This is a tragic day for the entire Auburn community. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families who have been devastated by this senseless tragedy. We will support the families of the victims in the difficult days ahead in every way that we possibly can. Our student-athletes are obviously stunned and deeply saddened, and we are providing counseling and support for them as they grieve the loss of their teammates and friends."
More when we know more...
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