Phoenix man accused of I-10 shootings talks to Dr. Phil
May 26, 2016, 8:31 PM | Updated: May 27, 2016, 11:28 am
Leslie Merritt Jr., the Phoenix man charged with being the Interstate 10 sniper last August and September, professed his innocence in the case to Dr. Phil McGraw Thursday.
Merritt was interviewed by Dr. Phil for a television broadcast and was asked about his arrest, jail time and subsequent release after 222 days in prison. Merritt Jr. told the TV host about his experience being arrested by a SWAT team while shopping with his five-month-old daughter and how he never wanted to stop fighting for his freedom, according to the Daily Mail.
Merritt was officially cleared by the state last month after being accused in four shootings along the I-10. A spokesman for Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said at the time that the office filed a motion to dismiss all charges without prejudice against Merritt and that additional forensic investigation was needed in order for the case to move forward.
Merritt told Dr. Phil he did not know why he was being arrested originally and did not seek legal help at the time because he was innocent.
