Local Mesa couple screws the pooch

[pneuby]

A Mesa couple has been arrested for allegedly pointing guns at teenagers at an after-prom party. Steven Leitzell, 43, faces charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct with a weapon and aggravated assault. His wife Emily Leitzell, 42, faces charges of aggravated assault. According to the court paperwork, Steven is employed by the Scottsdale Fire Department. In the early hours of Sunday, May 2, a caller dialed 911, and told the operator that Steven was threatening them with a gun... During the course of their investigation, police say they learned that the Leitzells had allowed teenagers to gather at their home following a high school prom. But when Steven couldn't find his daughter, "he became enraged," according to the court documents. The documents go on to say that Steven "intentionally pointed a handgun at the chest of a juvenile male while demanding to know the location of his daughter, but the juvenile male did not know." Police say Steven learned his daughter might be with a friend that he believed was drinking and driving and lives in the area. According to the court documents, Steven and his wife then ordered everyone out of the house. The teen victim got into a car and told the female teen driver about the gun "being pointed at and touching his chest," police say. The girl, along with the teen victim and two other people in the car, drove away from the house after she saw Steven "approaching her car while carrying a black handgun at his side," according to the court documents. She told police Steven chased them in his pickup, but that she was able to lose him, and the teens drove to a friend's house. Police say that Steven then blocked a second car with 5 people with his pickup truck. He then got out, demanding to know where the teen boy was. Steven's wife also got out of the couple's truck and pointed a handgun toward the car as well, the court documents say. According to those court documents, Steven admitted they had a post-prom gathering and that teenagers were drinking alcohol there. He also admitted that he and his wife own two handguns, but denied having them in their physical possession that night, police say. He also told detectives he was in a "blackout" and doesn't remember everything about that night, court documents say. Police obtained a search warrant and say they located two handguns in the couple's bedroom.

https://www.azfamily.com/news/mesa-coup ... 14c87.html

[Joe_Blacke]

That was my daughters school prom.

It’s the talk of the school.

The article doesn’t state that when the dad went home, Mesa PD was there. He was argumentative and combatant. He barricaded himself inside and SWAT had to respond.

[mtptwo]

Now he won't have a gun to point at a teenager's chest.

[Kingjoey]

Steven admitted they had a post-prom gathering and that teenagers were drinking alcohol there.

Trying to be the "cool parents" is gonna have this guy locked up

[Gunslinger808]

Yup, that’s what happens when you try to be your kids friend rather than parent.
Of course, alcohol and guns certainly didn’t help.

[xerts1191]

Awesome parenting

[Boriqua]

I so get that he shouldnt be threatening teens ith a gun looking for his daughter but

Really .. call the cops?! He didn't shoot you. chalk it up to a bad day don't go there anymore and be done with it. I was a youngin I didn't go calling 911 every time someone threatened me with a gun or threatened to use a gun on me though they didn't have it in hand.

Absolutely true story .. had a young girls Father .. a low level gangster in queens press a gun to my temple at a BBQ. I came up with a witty quip that got the group of overweight Italian guys laughing and forever earned dads respect. Didnt even cross my mind to call the police. I wasn't shot and anything else would have been Pu$$Y.

Story is kind of amusing but I will save it for later.

Had a neighbor wave a gun at me one night because of a loud motorcycle .. Meh .. I was a dick and he was an old vet suffering from cancer and went to sleep early. he was actually a wonderful person and took my brothers and I under his wing and taught us the electrical trade. Crazy old drunk but he knew his stuff. I pissed him off .. he threatened to shoot me if I continued running down the block on a very loud motorcycle.

I said sorry .. your right and pushed my bike into the backyard. No harm no foul.

Those are only two stories. Seems guns pointed at me wasnt that strange coming up and you made decisions. Never called the cops

[smithers599]

I am curious as to whether the Mesa couple were perhaps under the influence of alcohol, which might have impaired their judgment. Might be a possibility.

Frickin' mother and father of the year. Happy Mothers Day! Morons.

[Manitu]

If he can stay out of jail on this he will be homeless as the lawyers will soon own his house etc. This is gonna be for money up front not a cut. Mesa Mayor Peggy something or other allowed kids to drink at her house, GIANT stink over that.

[A_C Guy]

If he can stay out of jail on this he will be homeless as the lawyers will soon own his house etc.

There is no way he is not going to jail.
In Az, pointing a gun at someone is aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carries a MANDATORY prison sentence (5 to 15 years for a 1st time offender). If you watch any of the gun lawyer videos about Az gun laws, they all say the same thing. If you pull a gun on someone when your life is not in immediate danger, you are going to prison for a long time. No way to plea these down because the prosecutors know they have a guaranteed win on a major felony.

Lesson here is NEVER EVER point a gun at anyone ever.
Never let the other person know you have a gun.
'They only have to SAY you pointed it at them, they don't need to prove it; you are going to jail.

[A_C Guy]

Go to 16:30, he explains mandatory minimum sentencing in Az and why 97% of all gun cases are affected by it.
These laws result in more prosecutions of innocent gun owners than any other factor.
Prosecutors loves these laws.

[landon]

Looks like there will be an opening position at scottsdale fire department. Goodbye pension and benefits you jackass!

[BellesAZ]

My husband and I had a home in their neighborhood and knew them. They, and their drinking pals were one of the main reasons we moved. Lots and lots of parties at their house, not surprised these two morons let the kids drink there. Steve told police he was looking for the guy that stole his daughters virginity. Imagine being his daughter and having to go back to school and face that?? Momma had to be coerced out of the house with a bullhorn that next morning. Their Mother inherited a lucrative company, James Downs Insurance, from her father when he passed. I am certain any conviction would not go over well with the Arizona Insurance Board. He must be real proud of her. They have a beautiful, VERY expensive home, which they will probably have to sell. What a waste and a shame that these two boneheads represent Arizona gun owners who are 99.999% responsible and respectful of their guns. These two have not only screwed the pooch, they will probably lose everything too.

[TheAccountant]

My husband and I had a home in their neighborhood and knew them. They, and their drinking pals were one of the main reasons we moved. Lots and lots of parties at their house, not surprised these two morons let the kids drink there. Steve told police he was looking for the guy that stole his daughters virginity. Imagine being his daughter and having to go back to school and face that?? Momma had to be coerced out of the house with a bullhorn that next morning. Their Mother inherited a lucrative company, James Downs Insurance, from her father when he passed. I am certain any conviction would not go over well with the Arizona Insurance Board. He must be real proud of her. They have a beautiful, VERY expensive home, which they will probably have to sell. What a waste and a shame that these two boneheads represent Arizona gun owners who are 99.999% responsible and respectful of their guns. These two have not only screwed the pooch, they will probably lose everything too.

So you joined the forum just to trash them anonymously on the internet? Classy.

[XJThrottle]

My husband and I had a home in their neighborhood and knew them. They, and their drinking pals were one of the main reasons we moved. Lots and lots of parties at their house, not surprised these two morons let the kids drink there. Steve told police he was looking for the guy that stole his daughters virginity. Imagine being his daughter and having to go back to school and face that?? Momma had to be coerced out of the house with a bullhorn that next morning. Their Mother inherited a lucrative company, James Downs Insurance, from her father when he passed. I am certain any conviction would not go over well with the Arizona Insurance Board. He must be real proud of her. They have a beautiful, VERY expensive home, which they will probably have to sell. What a waste and a shame that these two boneheads represent Arizona gun owners who are 99.999% responsible and respectful of their guns. These two have not only screwed the pooch, they will probably lose everything too.

So you joined the forum just to trash them anonymously on the internet? Classy.

Must have that link on a constant refresh to see where it pops up on the web.