BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled on the appeal of Pass Christian Rudy Desmond Toler, who was convicted of shooting into a car full of teenagers and police officers during a 2023 road rage incident.

In 2021, Toler shot a handgun at four minors while traveling on Highway 90 between Pass Christian and Gulfport. After the shooting, he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, during which he fired two more shots.

ORIGINAL STORY: Pass Christian man sentenced to prison for shooting at car full of teenagers and police officers during road rage incident

A Harrison County grand jury indicted Toler on 10 felonies:

• 4 counts of aggravated assault
• Shooting at a motor vehicle once
• 4 counts of serious assault on a police officer
• 1 count of failure to stop a motor vehicle.

In 2023, a jury found Toler guilty on all charges except one count of assault on a police officer.

Toler’s party objected and stated:

• There was insufficient evidence to convict him of assaulting 3 other police officers
• There was insufficient evidence to convict him on multiple counts of aggravated assault on minors
• The trial court abused its discretion “by excluding evidence regarding Toler’s peaceful character.”

At Thursday’s hearing, the court disagreed with Toler’s initial claim, saying there was sufficient evidence to declare that he intended to cause serious harm to minors as well as police officers.

However, the case will be sent back to the trial court with instructions to consolidate the 4 counts of assault on minors into a single conviction. He will regret being counted alone.

The court also agreed with the trial court’s decision not to allow evidence of Toler’s “peaceful character” because he admitted to possessing and displaying a handgun and shooting at a vehicle on at least three occasions.

click HERE To read the full court decision.

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