(Photo courtesy of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

Leslie Allen Merritt Jr.

(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)

Leslie Merritt's attorney, Jason Lamm, leaves Maricopa County Superior Court after his client's bond was reduced to zero.

The man facing more than a dozen felonies in connection with some of the I-10 shootings walked out of a Maricopa County jail Tuesday evening.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge lowered Leslie Merritt Jr.’s bond to zero at a hearing earlier in the day, paving the way for his release.

Merritt spent the last seven months behind bars where his lawyer, Jason Lamm, said he was in isolation for 23 hours a day.

“We’re still fighting,” Lamm said. “The fat lady hasn’t sung yet. She might have warmed up a little bit today. But we’re still working on his defense until it’s over and we will until the very last minute.”

With a gag order still in effect, it’s unclear exactly what evidence persuaded a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge to change Merritt’s release conditions. But new findings from a ballistics expert were mentioned in court.

“I can’t speak to the motion because it’s a sealed filing,” Lamm said. “But you did hear what the prosecutor said in open court today. And I can defer to his comments because he did put it out there.”

Lamm also said his client was elated by the judge’s decision.

“He missed Thanksgiving,” Lamm said. “He missed Christmas. He missed his daughter’s first birthday. It’s overwhelming.”

Authorities will continue to monitor Merritt electronically. His next court date is scheduled for May 18.