June 1, 2000
Police say a resident of the Valley Mental Health Center apparently snapped last night, and stabbed his roommate several times.
The suspect is a former state mental hospital patient with a serious violent history.
News Specialist Jill Atwood has more.
The incident went on for about four hours last night. Police say the suspect stabbed his roommate at least five times, and then beat his legs with a baseball bat so he couldn't go for help.
Police lead 38-year-old Donald Leonard away in handcuffs from a Valley Mental Health Facility.
Moments before his roommate is wheeled into an ambulance, as officers bag a bloody knife and baseball bat.
Craig Gleason/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "LAST NIGHT OUR VICTIM CAME HOME, AND THE ARRESTED GUY SAID 'COME HERE I WANT TO GIVE YOU A HUG,' AND THEN HE STABBED HIM IN THE BACK."
Leonard and his roommate lived together for years and appeared to be good friends. Both were also on successful treatment programs.
"LEONARD WAS PLACED IN THE STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL BACK IN THE EARLY '80'S FOR COMMITTING THE CRIME OF MURDER. HE WAS RELEASED THREE YEARS AGO, AND HAS BEEN HERE EVER SINCE. AND UNTIL THIS MORNING HE'D NEVER GIVEN ANYONE ANY PROBLEMS."
Dave Dangerfield/Executive Dir., Valley Mental Health: "IS PAST HISTORY A PREDETERMINER FOR THE FUTURE? SURE, BUT IT'S BEEN ALMOST 20 YEARS SINCE THIS EARLIER CRIMINAL HISTORY."
Executive Director Dave Dangerfield says with people it's impossible to predict violence. He also says with proper treatment mentally ill patients are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Still, at the same time he says mental illness should not be used as an excuse.
Dave Dangerfield: "IS HE COMPETANT? DID HE KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING? IF SO THEN HE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE LIKE ANYONE ELSE."
