Edward LeClair, who was convicted of child molestation, died after consuming cloudy liquid in court. DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS The 57-year-old was on trial for five sexual abuse charges and was out on bail until the August 11 verdict.
Edward LeClair
LeClair reportedly began consuming the drink when Judge Lee Gabriel, replacing Judge Sherry Shipmanin of Denton’s 16th District Court, read her verdict. As soon as he was found guilty of the first of five child molestation charges against a victim, the episodes occurring in 2016, the convicted pedophile picked up the bottle and drank the liquid from the bottle. Jamie Beck, the Denton County Assistant District Attorney, told CNN, “He drank a bottle of water he had at the attorneys’ table while these verdicts were being read out,” the report said. He went on to say this about the drink which seemed cloudy: “He was observed swallowing the water by our investigator. He proposed to the usher to go and check it. It was the bailiff. In the detention center, he was unconscious. According to Mike Howard, LeClair’s defense attorney, LeClair “shortly after entering the holding cell he began to vomit and medical services were called,” according to the NY Post.
LeClair, who was detained in 2018 and posted $30,000 bond, received emergency medical attention from Denton County sheriff’s deputies. According to Joe’s quote from LeClair’s legal counsel, “I saw him being carried on the stretcher after he was evacuated by EMS. Gray was not a healthy color for him, and he was later rushed to hospital. Beyond that, I have nothing more to add. During my 27 years, Beck continued, “We’ve had people pass out, suffered heart attacks and had shootings, but we’ve never had anything like that.”
According to CNN, according to preliminary data from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, the accused was pronounced dead on August 11 at 3:21 p.m. at Medical City Denton Hospital. However, as the cause of death is currently listed as pending, an autopsy is underway.
LeClair, a former Navy mechanic and corporate recruiter, has been charged with five counts of sexually assaulting a 14- to 17-year-old, according to NBC. He claimed he was not guilty of the allegations. Defense attorney Howard replied, “With allegations like this, a defendant is absolutely subject to the possibility of receiving a very severe sentence if convicted.”
