Accused Auburn shooter in court on 3 murder counts

Published December 01, 2015

June 14: Desmonte Leonard looks back at family and friends makes his first appearance at the Lee County Justice Center, in Opelika, Ala. (Pool, Opelika-Auburn News)

The man charged in three slayings near Auburn University has had three attorneys appointed for him after telling a judge he cannot afford to pay for his legal defense.

Desmonte Leonard had his first appearance before a judge in Opelika, Ala., on Thursday morning. He's facing three counts of capital murder and two assault charges in the shootings last weekend.

The dead included two former Auburn football players, and a current player was among the three injured.

The 22-year-old Leonard told a judge he can't afford to pay for a legal defense. So the judge appointed three Montgomery attorneys to represent Leonard at taxpayer expense.

Leonard says he understands the charges against him.

Leonard was chained at his hands and feet during the brief appearance and is jailed without bond.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/accused-auburn-shooter-in-court-on-3-murder-counts