Leanna Harris passed a polygraph administered by an expert hired by her attorney, the lawyer’s office confirmed Monday.
Harris’ husband, Ross Harris, was indicted earlier this month on charges that he deliberately murdered the couple’s 22-month-old son, Cooper. Leanna Harris has not be charged in the June 18 death, which occurred when Ross Harris left the toddler for seven hours in a hot car.
In Monday’s statement, attorney Lawrence Zimmerman detailed some of the questions his client was asked on the polygraph:
- Prior to June 18th, did you know that your husband would leave your son in that vehicle?
- Did you plan or arrange with your husband to leave your son in that vehicle?
- Did your husband tell you that he was going to leave your son in that vehicle?
She answered “no” to each. According to the unnamed polygrapher, “there was no deception indicated.”
Also Monday, Leanna Harris’ best friend, Angie Bond, appeared on Good Morning America, where she reiterated things she had previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bond said both Ross and Leanna Harris were loving parents, although their marriage was sometimes “rocky.”
“She had absolutely nothing to do with the accident, at all,” Bond said. “She misses her little boy desperately.”
As for Ross Harris, Bond said, “He absolutely adored Cooper.” Despite the charges against him, Bond also said Leanna Harris does not doubt her husband’s innocence. “She knows how much Ross loves Cooper,” Bond said.
In addition to malice murder, Ross Harris faces two counts of felony murder (causing a death during the commission of another felony), two counts of child cruelty (first- and second-degree), one charge of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of distributing harmful materials to someone younger than 18. The last three charges stem from allegations that he sexted lewd materials to a 17-year-old girl and asked her to send nude photos.
The arraignment for Ross Harris, at which he will enter pleas to the charges, is expected shortly. Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said it would take place two or three weeks after the indictment, which was handed down Sept. 4. Reynolds said his office would decide before the arraignment whether to seek the death penalty.
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