Crime & Safety
Hot Car Death Trial Begins April 11
The ex-wife of Justin Ross Harris may testify, as a case that has gained national attention moves closer to trial.
MARIETTA, GA -- The trial of the man accused of leaving his infant son in a hot car to die is set to begin Monday, April 11.
The latest development in the case is that Leanna Harris may testify against her ex-husband, Justin Ross Harris, according to the AJC.
In June 2014, Harris is accused of driving to work at a Home Depot corporate office, and leaving the couple's 22-month-old son, Cooper, buckled in his child seat in the car for the entire work day.
Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Leanna Harris, who now goes by her maiden name of Leanna Taylor, officially divorced Harris last month.
Harris pleaded not guilty to all of the original eight counts against him. He has been held without bond since June 2014.
Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A Cobb County judge also ruled last month that evidence of Harris' alleged martial infidelity and other information can be used in the trial.
Harris' attorneys were seeking to have the evidence excluded. The information includes sexually explicit texts that Harris allegedly shared with several girls; research on the effects of weather on the human body; and Harris and his family's financial situation, among other items.
Harris is also facing charges related to sexual explicit messages with underage girls that were found on his phone as police were investigating his son's death.
The new charges include two counts of sexual exploitation of children and six counts of disseminating harmful material to a minor. The charges are related to sexual photos and chat messages between Harris and three underage girls.
Read Patch's extensive coverage of the case:
- Hot Car Death: Evidence of Alleged Infidelity Admissible
- Major Setback to Defendant in Hot Car Death
- Wife of Defendant in Hot Car Death Files for Divorce
- Harris Emotional During Motions Hearing in Hot Car Death
- Dad in Hot Car Death Facing Sexting Charges
- Justin Ross Harris Prosecutors Want Information Blockade
- Hot Car Death: Ross Harris Lawyers Want Phone, Computer Evidence Thrown Out
- Hot Car Death: Ross Harris Evidence Hearing Continues Thursday
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