Former Yankee's star Jim Leyritz has been found not guilty of DUI manslaughter at the conclusion of his trial in Fort Lauderdale, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Massachusetts drunk driving defense lawyers have been following this trial, which has made nationwide news and been featured on a number of television shows, including CourtTV. The stakes were high. As we reported recently on our Massachusetts DUI Attorney Blog, Leyritz faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted. It also illustrated the dangers inherent when prosecutors and law enforcement push serious charges, especially in cases where there is such clear question of guilt.
While the jury found Leyritz guilty of DUI, the maximum penalty is up to 6 months in jail. The Sun-Sentinel said the evidence is so sketchy, that a far lesser sentence would be the only appropriate option.
Trial testimony revealed gaping holes in the prosecution's case, including whether Leyritz even ran the red light that resulted in the December 2007 crash. The former Yankee's catcher was charged with killing a 30-year-old mother of two, who was on her way home from her job as a bartender.
This case also illustrates the importance of having a defense lawyer who will thoroughly investigate the cause of a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts. In this case, the defense argued that the victim was even drunker than Leyritz, that she was not wearing her seat belt and that she was sending and receiving phone calls and text messages in the moments before the 3 a.m. crash.
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