The trial has started for a man charged with murder for allegedly shooting six-year-old Aiden Leos on the 55 freeway in Orange County in 2021.
KNX News’ Margaret Carrero reported that the prosecutor told jurors in the Santa Ana courtroom that this wasn’t a road rage case while holding up a box with Marcus Eriz’s gun inside.
“This is an expression of his callous and total disregard for human life,” the prosecutor said.
Eriz’s public defender said the shooting was a profound mistake in the briefest of moments.
“Just a momentary lapse of reason by a 24-year-old guy who had very little life experience, a mistake, and a rash decision by a young man,” the public defender said.
The prosecution played the 911 call that Aiden’s mother made on May 21, 2021. In the call, Aiden’s mother was hyperventilating and pleading for help for her son.
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Eriz is accused of pulling out his gun during a road rage incident and firing the fatal shot out of the passenger window after Aiden’s mother gave him the middle finger as she passed him and his girlfriend on the freeway. Eriz’s girlfriend allegedly cut Aiden’s mother off on the freeway, sparking the confrontation.
If convicted on all counts, Eriz faces a maximum of 40 years to life. He pleaded not guilty.
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