Law enforcement’s probe of the freeway shooting incidents isn’t over, but Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery offered few other details during a news conference Tuesday.
It was the first time Montgomery spoke publicly since his office moved to dismiss more than a dozen felony charges against Leslie Merritt Jr. That decision came with a caveat when prosecutors asked they be dropped without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled at a later date.
Montgomery wouldn’t say if there are more suspects, or if the investigation continues to focus on Merritt.
“I’m not going to make a distinction one way or the other,” Montgomery said. “We’re going to continue to work with the Department of Public Safety to review all of the evidence we’ve got, and to address questions that have come up over the course of our review.”
RELATED: Defense Attorneys Ask To Unseal Records In Phoenix Freeway Shooting Case
Merritt’s attorneys have until May 6 to file a motion that the charges should be permanently dismissed. Otherwise, the statute of limitations gives the state more than six years to refile them.
The ballistics evidence that led to at least a temporary dismissal of the charges against Merritt came from an outside forensic expert hired by Montgomery’s office.
When the expert gave their opinion, prosecutors decided they needed to do more investigation, Montgomery said. Bringing in an outside expert is common practice, and prosecutors continue to review the ballistics analysis.
“I have confidence in the ability for ballistics examiners to be able to render opinions,” Montgomery said. “I have confidence in the science itself and the methodology for reviewing ballistics evidence.”
Montgomery declined to reveal what prosecutors hoped to learn from the expert, or if the state has any other evidence against Merritt.
Many details of the case remain sealed as a gag order has been in effect since earlier this year.
