Just days after a South Florida jury found him not guilty of DUI manslaughter, former major leaguer Jim Leyritz spoke out publicly for the first time Tuesday to express his relief.
Appearing on 560 WQAM sports talk radio, the Yankees World Series hero said nothing in his career came close to the tension he faced in the courtroom as he went through the trial.
"This is something that no World Series, no New York, nothing will ever prepare you for," Leyritz said.
The 46-year-old had been facing a maximum of 15 years behind bars in the December 2007 death of 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch. The former major leaguer had been celebrating his 44th birthday with friends on Fort Lauderdale beach when his SUV collided with Veitch's car around 3 a.m.
Prosecutors claimed Leyritz's blood-alcohol level was .14 percent three hours after the crash, above Florida's .08 limit. Veitch had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18, authorities said.
Leyritz spent weeks defending himself before he was convicted of DUI but acquitted of the much more serious manslaughter charge, after jurors concluded there was no evidence he'd run a red light.
During Tuesday's interview, he compared the four-week trial to his days as a catcher.
Local
"As a former player who's used to being in control, and being able to you know, control the game as a catcher putting down the signs, it's something that you sit behind that desk and you're helpless," he said.
Leyritz spoke about resuming his duties as a father to his three children and promised something good would come out of the tragedy.
"Hopefully in the future, I'll be able to make a difference," he said.
