Judge orders evidence to be unsealed in freeway shootings

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A judge ordered evidence to be unsealed in the freeway shootings that terrorized the valley last year.

Judge Warren Granville ruled on two motions in court Tuesday. First, he denied a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice, which means the state can re-file charges against Leslie Merritt Jr.

The defense won their second motion when Judge Granville unsealed evidence in the freeway shootings case.

This means the public will have access to the forensic ballistic reports, cell phone analysis and other items the state submitted as evidence against Merritt.

Before any evidence is released, however, defense attorneys must redact any personal information about people involved in the investigation.

Merritt was not at Tuesday's hearing and the state continued their argument that it's still an open investigation and charges could be re-filed against Merritt in the future.

Another hearing was scheduled for June where the judge will decide if Merritt's car and gun should be released back to him.

Leslie Merritt Jr. was released last month after the case against him was dismissed. Merritt was arrested last year and was charged in connection to four freeway shooting incidents in the valley.

Merritt's attorneys have also filed a $10 million notice of claim against police, state and local leaders.