SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Lillian Tenorio on Tuesday granted Leo L. Saures’ request to be released to one of his relatives as a third-party custodian after posting 10% of a $20,000 cash bail.
Saures, 60, was accused of strangling his wife after an argument over money and eviction from their apartment unit.
Saures was charged with strangulation, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Assistant Public Defender Karie Comstock represented Saures, while Assistant Attorney General Frances Demapan appeared for the government.
According to the complaint against Saures, police responded to a disturbing the peace incident at Ironwood Apartments on Jan. 3, 2025.
When asked by a police officer if she was okay, Saures’ wife said, “It’s just personal matter.” When asked if she was hurt in any way, she said her husband had “choked” her. The officer then requested medics to come to her location. While waiting for them, the officer conducted an interview with the victim.
The wife said she and her husband were sitting at their table in the living room, discussing how they were getting evicted and what they should do.
She said Saures got mad at her and told her to shut up because he didn’t want to be told what to do.
She said Saures then “choked her using his left hand….”
She added that her husband’s hand was still around her neck when he pushed her on their bed and got on top of her.
The victim said she tried to get him off her by kicking and punching him, and when he didn’t get off, she started screaming. She said their daughter went into the room and tried to remove Saures’ hand from the victim’s neck and pulled him away from her.
The victim said Saures’ hand was on her neck for a minute.
When medics arrived and conducted a medical assessment on the victim, she was told that her heart was beating very fast, and her blood pressure was high. They tried to convince her to go to the hospital, but she refused.
When interviewed by the police, Saures said he and his wife were arguing about money and when she continued to yell, he placed both his hands on her chest, pushed her into their bedroom and held her down on the bed. He said his wife tried to get him off her and kicked him in his private area. He then released her and told her to keep it down. He called for a taxi and left the area.
Saures was arrested on the same day.
He is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on Jan. 27, 2025, at 9 a.m.
