Man Convicted of Child Sexual Assault Commits Suicide in Courtroom

A man convicted Thursday afternoon of five counts of child sexual assault involving one victim died shortly after learning the guilty verdict.

Edward Leclair received the guilty verdict at the Denton County Courts Building off McKinney Street.

After the guilty verdict was announced in the 16th District courtroom, Leclair began chugging what appeared to be murky water, according to people familiar with the case.

“At the suggestion of a county investigator, a bailiff checked on and found Leclair unresponsive in the holding cell next to the courtroom,” Denton Record-Chronicle reported.

Denton County court officials share their reactions to defendant’s mysterious death moments after guilty verdict: “We were shocked by this. It does carry a lot of emotion and even more so for the jurors.” https://t.co/oATrcaP0yv

— DentonRC (@DentonRC) August 12, 2022

BREAKING:

Pedophile convicted of child sex assault commits suicide by chugging unknown fluid in courtroom immediately following jury verdict

Edward Leclair, 57, Texas https://t.co/nP3Ys1HUpv

— An Open Secret (@AnOpenSecret) August 12, 2022

A Texas man died Thursday shortly after being convicted of child sexual abuse. The prosecutor said Edward Leclair was seen drinking a bottle of liquid before having a medical emergency. https://t.co/OcJdVhLIl1

— CNN (@CNN) August 13, 2022

Edward Leclair didn't drink from the water bottle until the verdict was read, then he "just chugged it," the prosecutor said. https://t.co/pFMKIYe9gj

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 13, 2022

From the Denton Record-Chronicle:

Jurors had been dismissed from the courtroom before the bailiff found Leclair. They returned Friday morning to determine the next move since Leclair, who had been found guilty, had died before he could be sentenced for his crimes.

“I can certainly say that it was highly emotional for everyone involved,” Howard said. “We were shocked by this. It does carry a lot of emotion and even more so for the jurors. They didn’t choose to do this. They were chosen, and as we told them, serving on a jury and making sure that the justice system works for the alleged victim and accused person is the cornerstone of being a citizen and making sure our government and society function.”

It was an unusual situation, not just for the jurors but also for the defense, the prosecution and the judge, none of whom had ever experienced something like this before.

Normally, Howard said, if a defendant once convicted escapes before he is sentenced — also known as “volunteering absence” — the law would allow the prosecution to move forward with sentencing. In this case, Leclair might have killed himself if the water bottle, which the Denton County District Attorney’s Office said was collected as evidence, contains a toxic substance that led to his death.

“We have had people who faint, have heart attacks and had a shooting, but never in my 27 years have we had something like this happen,” prosecutor Jamie Beck told the Denton Record-Chronicle.

CBS News added:

Beck told the newspaper that the alleged victim had flown in to testify at Leclair’s trial.

Leclair’s attorney, Mike Howard, said sheriff’s deputies gave Leclair medical aid until EMS arrived.

“I saw him being taken out on the gurney,” Howard told the newspaper. “His color and pallor didn’t look good – gray – and then he was taken to the hospital. Beyond that, that’s all I can say.”

Edward LeClair, 57, was found unconscious on Aug. 11 in a holding cell outside the Denton County Courthouse. https://t.co/Mm5N5G9QIP

— CBS News Texas (@CBSNewsTexas) August 12, 2022