Husband, suspect to plea in December

A Costa Mesa man accused of murdering his wife of 50 years last month has postponed entering a plea until December.

Kenneth Joseph Leake, 75, was charged with murder Thursday, nearly a month after police said he shot his wife, Doris, 72, in the head in their home on Orange Street.

Doris clung to life for weeks before dieing Oct. 8 due to swelling in the brain from her wounds. Prosecutors said she was shot four times in the head and once in the wrist Sept. 17.

Leake was originally charged with attempted murder.

He faces up to 50 years to life in prison, if convicted on the murder charge. His arraignment has been rescheduled for Dec. 18.

— Joseph Serna