Man accused in 2015 freeway shootings exonerated, attorney says

Leslie Merritt Junior exonerated, as judge clears him in 2015 freeway shootings case

FOX 10's Linda Williams spoke with Merritt Jr.'s father, who says his son is still affected by the ordeal.

PHOENIX - A man who was accused of being involved in multiple shootings on Interstate 10 over several weeks in 2015 has been exonerated and his case is now sealed.

The attorney for Leslie Merritt Jr. confirmed to FOX 10 that a court issued an order last week, clearing his client's name and sealing his public records.

Merritt was arrested on several felony charges in September of 2015 in connection to the shootings. No one was killed in the shootings.

Merritt proclaimed his innocence during his first court appearance and spent seven months in jail. After charges against him were dismissed, Merritt sued several state officials claiming false arrest.

No suspect was ever arrested in connection with the shootings.

Merrit's father speaks out

Merritt Jr.'s father, Leslie Merritt Sr., says his son, now 26, is still not free, even though he is now exonerated.

"With his PTSD and his anxiety, he constantly looks over his shoulder because he always thinks somebody recognizes him, or is going to say something or make an accusation," said Merritt Sr.

Merritt Sr. states his son has moved our of Arizona due to notoriety from the freeway shooting case. Merritt Jr., his father says, calls often, sometimes in a panic over seeing law enforcement in passing.

"When he has his panic attack out of the fear that they're there to arrest him again, I'm the one he calls to talk him out of the panic," said Merritt Sr. "It's just so sad that it's for something he has no part of, absolutely nothing to do with."

Merritt Sr. says he blames DPS for rushing to judgment on his son.

Lawyer speaks out

Jason Lamm, the attorney who worked to prove Merritt Jr.'s innocence, has filed a lawsuit against DPS and others for falsely accusing Merritt Jr. in the shootings.

"He'll never escape this," said Lamm. "Will he ever be the same person again? Absolutely not. Can he heal the wounds? He's going to try."

DPS officials say they will not comment on pending litigation.

Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 10 News app. Download for Apple iOS or Android.