Leo Trial Halted, New Evidence, Surprising Testimonies...

Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - USA

	PAWS DOWN: Sick of it. Next, please
	PAWS UP: Yes, tell Wags to keep us posted.
	PAWS ASKEW: Keep us posted ...but we'd rather hear about the Loch Ness Cat.

UPDATE June 20, 2001:
Poll Results & Leo Opinions

SAN JOSE, CA — The infamous Leo Trial has been suspended until Monday, June 18, to allow lawyers to ruminate over some shocking new evidence that has surfaced only this week.

Last week The Scoop reported that Marc Garcia, attorney for the man accused of throwing a 10-year-old Bichon Frisé into California traffic, indicated in court that his client did not throw the dog, but instead merely dropped Leo onto the pavement after having been bitten by the dog.

After the defense's strategy became public, a man came forward, claiming that he had been driving behind the victim's car on that day, February 11 last year.  The new witness contacted prosecutors to refute the story presented by the defense.

"The defendant's defense did not coincide with what he saw," explains Deputy D.A. Troy Benson.

Similarly, the press coverage has encouraged others to report items of significance; U.S. Navy officer Audrey Warren, the accused man's military supervisor in 1995, has told investigators of an instance when the accused man beat an animal to death in Puerto Rico.

Defense attorney Garcia remains skeptical about the new evidence and requested a week's continuance in the case, which was granted by presiding Judge Kenneth J. Murphy.

Both defense and prosecution attorneys are forbidden from further discussing the new evidence with reporters.

§§§