Arizona’s Governor is at the center of the latest motion in the freeway shootings case.
The suspect, Leslie Merritt Jr., is accused of four of the 11 freeway shootings.
On Wednesday, Merritt’s attorneys filed a motion to depose Governor Doug Ducey.
Merritt was arrested on September 18, 2015 at a Walmart in Glendale. Minutes after he was taken into custody, Governor Ducey sent out a tweet stating, “We got him!”
BREAKING: We got him! DPS SWAT team is in custody of the individual suspected of I-10 shootings. Apprehended moments ago.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 19, 2015
According to DPS, detectives tested the bullet fragments from the first four shootings and were able to match them to Merritt’s gun that he had recently pawned.
SPECIAL SECTION: Latest on the investigation into the freeway shootings
Now, Merritt’s attorneys want to know what information Governor Ducey had – prior to Merritt's arrest -- that made him confident enough to send the tweet.
Spokesman for Governor Ducey released this statement to ABC15 about the motion:
"This appears designed to be a publicity stunt. This issue is in the hands of the judicial branch, where it belongs. We have confidence that the suspect will receive a fair trial, and the governor has nothing of relevance to add.”
The judge issued a gag order to prevent the defense and prosecution from openly talking about this case with the public.
