Jury Finds Edward M. Leavens Guilty of Violent Assault
This afternoon in a Spokane County Superior Court hearing, with Superior Court Judge Harold Clarke III presiding, a jury found Edward M. Leavens guilty of Assault 1st Degree in just a little over an hour of deliberation.
The guilty verdict stemmed from a violent assault committed on September 10, 2021, by Edward M. Leavens on his mother, the victim.
Edward M. Leavens was arrested on September 17, 2021, on a warrant for Assault 1st Degree (DV) and has remained in the Spokane County Jail.
This case was prosecuted by Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Degen.
This incident was investigated by the Spokane Valley Major Crimes Unit, with Detective Dean Meyer as the investigative lead.
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Information from September 17, 2021:
UPDATE: Detectives Arrest Assault Suspect, Edward M. Leavens
This afternoon, Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives, with the assistance of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, developed information on a possible location for Edward Leavens. Leavens was located and arrested without incident near Sprague and Pines.
Leavens was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 1st Degree (DV) and an unrelated misdemeanor warrant. His bond is currently set at $100,000.
The victim remains hospitalized, in serious but stable condition.
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Information from September 10, 2021:
Major Crimes Detectives Investigating Vicious Domestic Violence Assault
Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives are investigating the violent assault of a female victim in her late seventies. The victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The suspect, 56-year-old Edward M. Leavens, has not been located.
On September 10, 2021, at approximately 3:35 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a residence in the 9300 block of E. Cataldo for the report of a woman who was possibly assaulted. The caller said he found his mother bloodied, and it appeared she had been beaten.
Multiple Deputies arrived and secured the home, allowing Spokane Valley Fire and AMR personnel to safely enter and provide medical attention to the severely injured victim.
Due to the violent nature of the assault and the life-threatening injuries suffered by the victim, Major Crimes Detectives and Forensic Unit Technicians were called to the scene to continue the investigation and collect evidence.
The victim’s son, who discovered her and called 911, stayed at the residence and spoke with Investigators.
From initial information, Detectives have identified 56-year-old Edward M. Leavens as a suspect in this investigation. Edward, a younger son of the victim, is believed to have left the residence prior to her other son discovering her and calling 911.
A search for Edward by a K9 Unit and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was unsuccessful.
The suspect Edward M. Leavens is believed to be on foot, and Investigators are concerned for his safety due to his alcohol abuse and mental health history.
Edward M. Leavens is described as a white male, approximately 6’00”, 200-250 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen without a shirt and wearing gray shorts. Edward is known to frequent the businesses and parking lots in the area of Sprague and Farr.
If you have any information regarding this incident or know of Edward M. Leavens’ location, please call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10120867.
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Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer