2008 Woodie Awards
Former Mesa student to stand trial in death of Mesa student
Shayla Durrett
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News
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Former Mesa student Eric Joseph Leeman will stand trial on charges of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and hit-and-run in the death of 19-year-old Mesa student Whitney Young.
Leeman faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
His defense attorney believes the charges are unwarranted.
"It was an unfortunate accident that has ruined two lives, Ms. Young's and Mr. Leeman's," said Roseline Feral, Leeman's defense attorney. "Mr. Leeman should not be charged with murder because his driving was not done 'in wanton disregard for human life' that the caselaw requires for a murder."
During the preliminary hearing Young's best friend, Danielle Wagoner, testified that her and Young had been at a party on the night of Nov. 12, 2006 and were walking home with some friends when Young was struck by a car on Montezuma Road, according to 10news.com.
"Ms. Young's group ... put itself in harm's way by crossing the intersection in a diagonal manner," Feral said. "I don't think any other driver could have seen or been able to avoid the accident."
According to 10news.com, Leeman told police that he had reached down to get his cell phone right before the collision. He thought he had hit something but saw nothing when he looked in his rear-view mirror.
Deputy District Attorney Allison Worden accused Leeman of being drunk during the time of the hit-and-run. According to Worden, Leeman had one prior DUI conviction.
"In most situations where second degree murder is charged, the driver usually has a long history of at least three or four Driving Under the Influence convictions and would have been warned by the court of the possibility of being charged with second degree murder if they continue to drink," Feral said. "This is not the case with Mr. Leeman."
According to signonsandiego.com, witnesses took the stand testifying that Leeman had been drinking alcohol at a party on the night of the accident. A 16-year-old girl testified that she saw Leeman fighting with a man at the party and that Leeman appeared to be drunk.
Leeman faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
His defense attorney believes the charges are unwarranted.
"It was an unfortunate accident that has ruined two lives, Ms. Young's and Mr. Leeman's," said Roseline Feral, Leeman's defense attorney. "Mr. Leeman should not be charged with murder because his driving was not done 'in wanton disregard for human life' that the caselaw requires for a murder."
During the preliminary hearing Young's best friend, Danielle Wagoner, testified that her and Young had been at a party on the night of Nov. 12, 2006 and were walking home with some friends when Young was struck by a car on Montezuma Road, according to 10news.com.
"Ms. Young's group ... put itself in harm's way by crossing the intersection in a diagonal manner," Feral said. "I don't think any other driver could have seen or been able to avoid the accident."
According to 10news.com, Leeman told police that he had reached down to get his cell phone right before the collision. He thought he had hit something but saw nothing when he looked in his rear-view mirror.
Deputy District Attorney Allison Worden accused Leeman of being drunk during the time of the hit-and-run. According to Worden, Leeman had one prior DUI conviction.
"In most situations where second degree murder is charged, the driver usually has a long history of at least three or four Driving Under the Influence convictions and would have been warned by the court of the possibility of being charged with second degree murder if they continue to drink," Feral said. "This is not the case with Mr. Leeman."
According to signonsandiego.com, witnesses took the stand testifying that Leeman had been drinking alcohol at a party on the night of the accident. A 16-year-old girl testified that she saw Leeman fighting with a man at the party and that Leeman appeared to be drunk.
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