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A spirit that is not afraid

GUILTY: Desmonte Leonard convicted of capital murder

Leonard at his trial on Sept. 26. <i>(Todd Van Emst | Opelika-Auburn News)</i>
Leonard at his trial on Sept. 26. (Todd Van Emst | Opelika-Auburn News)

Desmonte Leonard was found guilty of capital murder on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for the 2012 killings of Demario Pitts and former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips.
Jurors deliberated for approximately five hours before reaching a verdict on the six counts against Leonard.
Leonard was charged with two counts for the attempted murder of Turquorius Vines and DeAngelo Benton. He was found guilty of attempted murder of Benton but not guilty of attempted murder against Vines.
Leonard was found guilty three counts of assault for the three people, Eric Mack, John Robertson and Xavier Moss, who were wounded on the night of June 9, 2012.
A sentencing hearing will start at 9 a.m. on Wednesday Oct. 8, at the Lee County Justice Center. Jurors will decide if Leonard should be sentenced to death.
During closing arguments on Oct. 6, District Attorney Robert Treese laid out the nature of the case.
"From the moment this case began it's never it's never been a 'who done it,' but a 'what is it,'" Treese said.
Defense attorneys for Leonard argued he acted in self-defense under the Alabama stand your ground law.


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