Closing arguments have started in the trial of a man charged with murder for allegedly shooting six-year-old Aiden Leos on the 55 freeway in Orange County in May 2021.
KNX News’ Margaret Carrero reported that the prosecutor told jurors that Marcus Eriz allegedly saw people on the roadways getting hostile as a problem and kept a loaded gun in the car to deal with them.
The prosecutor told jurors that when Aiden’s mother flipped Eriz and his girlfriend off after being cut off by their car, “calmly and completely without anger, [Eriz] reached behind his girlfriend's seat, pulled out semi-automatic Glock 17 9 millimeter, wrapped around, put down the window, switched the gun into his right hand, his shooting hand, pointed it at a woman, at her back, and as she drove away, in the most cowardly fashion, fired a round at her.”
Eriz is charged with second degree murder. However, his attorney argued that this is a voluntary manslaughter case.
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“What you need to understand is this wasn't some random act,” Eriz’s attorney said. “There is absolutely a causal connection between the confrontation that occurred and what Mr. Eriz ultimately did, and that is where all of your analysis is going to lie, right here in this provocation.”
He started and ended his closing argument by stating that Eriz is not a murderer.
Eriz didn’t take the witness stand in his defense.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts. If he’s convicted as charged, he faces a maximum of 40 years to life.
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