Attorney: Auburn University killing suspect turns himself in

Montgomery, Ala. • A man accused of killing three people at a party near Auburn University turned himself in Tuesday after a tense manhunt that began over the weekend, a defense attorney said.

Attorney Susan James said that her office arranged for Desmonte Leonard to turn himself in at a Montgomery courthouse around 7:50 p.m. after getting word that his family wanted her help.

She said she contacted U.S. Marshals and then she and her son, who works for her as an investigator, picked up Leonard. She wouldn't say where except that it was about 50 miles from Montgomery. They drove him to meet investigators.

"He was very calm, very tired and very ready to get this over with and very respectful," she said.

She said they had time to talk while driving to Montgomery: "When the full story is told, it may sound different than the perception now."

James said she has not been retained to represent him.

Leonard is wanted for killing three people and wounding three at a party near Auburn University on Saturday.

Police surrounded a house in Montgomery Monday afternoon and spent hours scouring it only to realize that the suspect wasn't inside.