Man Allegedly Caught on Video Molesting Child to Stand Trial

SANTA ANA — A 29-year-old man who was allegedly caught on videotape molesting a child his wife was baby-sitting was ordered Thursday to stand trial in Orange County Superior Court.

The wife of Richard Leonard of Orange had set up a video camera in the couple’s living room in May to determine how a 14-month-old toddler was getting bruised, following the child’s mother’s concerns about the injuries.

When Lisa Leonard reviewed the tape, she allegedly saw her husband molesting and abusing the child and turned the evidence over to authorities.

The videotape was shown in Municipal Court on Thursday during a hearing to determine whether the husband should stand trial.

Municipal Judge James M. Brooks ordered spectators out of the courtroom while the tape was shown, saying he was closing the hearing because of the “graphic and emotional” nature of the tape, the age of the alleged victim and the possibility that potential jurors might become biased if they saw the tape.

Deputy Public Defender Gary Roberts had requested that the judge close the courtroom.

“This is not show business,” Roberts said. “We’re not here to entertain the public.”

Leonard faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted of torture, child abuse and sexual assault charges. He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on Sept. 30 in a pretrial hearing, a bailiff said.