Desmonte Leonard Makes First Court Appearance
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: June 14, 2012
Desmonte Leonard is back in the Montgomery County Jail. He was taken back to that facility after his arraignment in the Lee County Courthouse.
Leonard arrived at the Lee County Justice Center at 8:00a.m. He was brought in through an undisclosed sally port.
Leonard is charged with three counts of capital murder and two counts of first degree assault.
Leonard is accused in the shooting deaths of Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips, and Demario Pitts. He is also accused of shooting three others at University Heights apartment complex in Auburn on Saturday, June 9.
Family members of Leonard, as well as two dozen law enforcement personnel, filled the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Russell Bush for the first appearance. It lasted about 10 minutes.
Susan James will represent Desmonte Leonard. James was not present during today's appearance. She was trying a case in Russell county. However, she is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1:00pm CT June 14.
The DA office questioned the James firm's experience trying capital murder trials. Denise Simmons who represented the James firm today says James and her firm have tried several capital murder cases.
Desmonte Leonard's family declined to comment. The DA declined to comment as well.
Leonard will be detained indefinitely at the Montgomery county jail. He is being held without bond.
Leonard must let the court know within 30 days if he wants a preliminary trial.
