Client was charged with seven counts of aggravated assault, seven counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and two gang violations. Client was facing a total of 215 possible years in prison if convicted.
Client chose to have a jury trial. After the close of the State’s evidence, Leslie moved for a directed verdict—asking the Judge to acquit the Client of all charges and enter not guilty verdicts on each count. Through cross-examination of the State’s witnesses, Leslie was able to expose the weaknesses in the State’s case: Client was only present when the shootings occurred and the State did not have sufficient evidence to link the Client to the gang.
The Judge agreed the State failed to prove its case, and rather than leave it to the jury to make the decision, the Judge entered a directed verdict of acquittal on all 16 counts.