Trial nears for Niles man accused of killing his wife

Photo

Daniel A. Leet

STAFF report

WARREN — Jury selection begins Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in the aggravated-murder trial of Daniel A. Leet, 30, of Difford Drive, Niles, accused of killing his wife, Angela, 29, on Nov. 24, 2007, in the driveway of their home.

Police said the woman was hit with three blasts from a 12-gauge shotgun at around 10:12 p.m. The shots struck her in the back, neck and face. The couple had been out for the evening just before the shooting.

After hearing shots fired, one neighbor ran to the Leet home, tackled Leet and held him until police arrived, Niles police said.

The couple had been married less than a year.

Leet was sentenced to eight months in prison in 1997 for firebombing his former girlfriend’s home on Olive Street in Niles in 1996.

Prosecuting the case is Chris Becker, assistant county prosecutor. Defense attorneys are Anthony Consoldane and David Rouzzo.

If convicted of the killing, Leet could get a prison term of 23 years to life. He is not eligible for the death penalty, the prosecutor’s office said. Leet faces an additional charge accusing him of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Leet pleaded innocent by reason of insanity in January, but Judge Andrew Logan of common pleas court ruled that Leet is competent to stand trial, meaning he is capable of understanding the nature of the charges against him and can assist in his defense.

That ruling came after John M. Fabian, a forensic and clinical psychologist, evaluated Leet.

Opening statements to the jury and testimony are likely to begin Tuesday.