Columbia Man's Drug-Induced Assault On Wife Sends Him To Prison

COLUMBIA, MD — Authorities said a Columbia man was sentenced to 18 years in prison this week for assaulting his wife while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault.

David Thomas Leakan Jr., 39, apologized in Howard County Circuit Court but admitted that he did not recall what happened, according to a statement from the state's attorney.

His mother had called police the night of the assault, on May 27, 2017, prosecutors said, because he had sent text messages that made her think he may be suicidal.

When police arrived, prosecutors said that Leakan's wife answered the door to their apartment in the 11000 block of Snowflake Court and was "dazed" with a severe stab wound to the head.

Her husband came out of the bedroom and was also injured, officials said, from stabbing himself in the chest and neck.

Both were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, prosecutors said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Mary DeCampo read the statement of facts in court that Leakan went to the bathroom and used cocaine after the couple had a meal together, and when he returned, they got into an argument in which his wife threatened to divorce him because of his drug use.

"Though neither party has recall, prosecutors believe Leakan, who gave conflicting statements to the police, assaulted the woman before attempting to take his own life," according to the state's attorney.

His wife sustained a brain bleed, permanent brain injuries that have caused cognitive and speech difficulties as well as skull, nose and eye fractures, prosecutors said.

Howard County Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. McCrone, who had seen photos of the woman's injuries, said: "It looks like somebody tried to scalp her," and at sentencing he described the attack as "horrific."

He sentenced Leakan to 25 years in prison with all but 18 years suspended, stipulating he be on supervised probation upon his release. While on probation, officials said Leakan will be required to receive treatment for drug and mental health issues.

Patch file photo.