A woman who was attacked in her home last week told sheriff’s detectives she was sleeping when a man broke in and slashed the throat of her companion and then sexually assaulted her before she was able to escape, court records show.
Steven Leska, 46, was arrested on suspicion of murder, domestic violence attempted murder, domestic violence kidnapping and domestic violence sexual assault in the incident. He remains in the Pima County jail under a $1 million bond.
A search warrant document filed in court by sheriff’s detectives describe a harrowing ordeal at the home in the 1900 block of West Harran Circle, near West Orange Grove Road and North La Cholla Boulevard.
Deputies responded to a burglary call about 9 a.m. Feb. 19 and found the woman wounded and her companion dead.
The woman told detectives they were sleeping when Leska broke in and woke them up. Leska then attacked James Kozar III, 50, by cutting his throat, the sheriff’s document states. A bloody box cutter and zip ties were found by Pima County sheriff’s detectives.
According to documents, Leska then tied up his former girlfriend and sexually assaulted her inside the home.
The woman eventually talked Leska into allowing her to go to the bathroom, which is when she climbed out through a window and ran to the front yard. Leska caught up with her and began beating her with a rock, documents state.
The victim’s neighbor heard the commotion and distracted Leska, allowing the victim to get up off the ground and run. She and the neighbor made it back to the neighbor’s house where they called 911, according to the court records.
When deputies arrived, they found Leska and took him into custody. They found his vehicle nearby, parked in the neighborhood.
The investigation also revealed that Leska’s former girlfriend was granted an order of protection against Leska because she was concerned for her safety.
The woman also told detectives that Leska was harassing and stalking her and her family.
The reports said deputies recently had gone to the house on a prowler report and questioned Leska.
