The State of Arizona has moved to drop all charges against Leslie Merritt Jr, the man suspect  in the freeway shootings, that happened  in the Phoenix area last summer. The  Maricopa County Attorney's Office has filed a  motion to dismiss charges against him.

Jerry Cobb, spokesman for Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, said that,"In conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, we have identified additional forensic investigation that needs to be completed in order for the case to proceed." 

The legal analyst Hector Diaz, said that, "That evidence is at the heart of the case and that raises real questions about the prosecution. I think that was the pivotal point."

"They're going to sit down and say 'Were there mistakes made? Where did those mistakes happen? And how do we make sure they don't happen again?" said Diaz.

Lucien Haag, the state's ballistics expert,  had raised questions about the evidence.

"These developments have nothing to do with what the defense uncovered but have everything to do with what evidence prosecutors uncovered," Cobb said.

"We have an ethical and professional obligation to act in the interest of justice and not merely to seek a conviction," Cobb said.

"Dismissing the charges without prejudice will provide us with the time needed in order to prepare the case for a possible refiling of charges," he said.

Also read: Fight for children health insurance in Arizona!

- Nandini