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Merritt's defense attorneys slam DPS

Posted at 7:22 PM, Apr 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-28 22:39:39-04

Defense attorneys for the once accused freeway shooting suspect, laid out parts of their case to the public, Thursday.

Attorney Jason Lamm revealed details in the case that he claims eliminated Leslie Merritt Junior from the start.

FULL COVERAGE: Valley freeway shootings

He showed cell phone data recovered from the FBI showing Merritt Jr.'s phone was pinging at a tower near his Glendale home at the time of the shootings on August 29, 2015.

Lamm went on to show ballistic evidence and claims the Department of Public Safety didn't do a thorough job conducting the investigation.

Lamm added bullet angles for one of the shootings involving an SUV with a family inside, raised serious doubts that Merritt Jr. could have been the trigger man, given the small sedan he drove.

"The only way Leslie Merritt Junior could have perpetrated this shooting was if he was driving down the freeway, in broad daylight, standing on the roof, shooting downward," said Lamm.

Defense attorneys are expected to move forward on a 10 million dollar civil claim against the state.