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Former Yankee Leyritz To Go Free From Jail

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Feb 17, 2009 10:48 pm US/Eastern

Former Yankee Leyritz To Go Free From Jail

Leyritz Of Davie Faces DUI Manslaughter Changes

DAVIE (CBS) ― Former New York Yankee's catcher Jim Leyritz, 45, did not have much to say after being released from the Broward County jail about 6:30 Tuesday night.

"Nothing to say until I speak to my lawyer," Leyritz told the throng of media waiting for him outside the jail. Last Friday, Leyritz was arrested and booked in Broward County for violating the terms of his pretrial release by drinking alcohol.

Circuit Judge Marc Gold said in an emergency hearing that he did not have jurisdiction in the case. Last week, Gold revoked Leyritz's bond and signed his arrest warrant.

"When Judge Gold issued that order, he had no jurisdiction to issue it," said Leyritz's attorney David Bogenschutz

Leyritz of Davie was charged with DUI manslaughter by impairment and DUI manslaughter by unlawful blood-alcohol level. He could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and has pleaded not guilty.

Leyritz had been allowed to remain free while he awaited trial as long as he did not drink alcohol or use any controlled substance.

Prosecutors claim Leyritz tried to drive his car with alcohol in his system on at least four occasions. Bogenschutz doesn't dispute the allegations but claims his client ''misunderstood'' his restrictions.

On Dec. 28, 2007, Leyritz was out celebrating his 44th birthday when he allegedly ran a red light and crashed his sport utility vehicle into a car driven by Fredia Ann Veitch, who was just leaving her bartending job in Fort Lauderdale. Veitch's family had no idea Leyritz was being released.

CBS 4's Ted Scouten asked him if he had anything to say to the family, "I won't even respond to that, that's such a stupid comment," Leyritz said, while carrying one of his own children, with another following behind.

When asked about if he felt lucky that he was released, he said, "I have my children in my arms and that's all I care about right now to be honest with you. "

Leyritz's trial is scheduled to begin in May.


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