Lexington, SC (WLTX) - Bond has been set at $500,000 for a Lexington County restaurant owner who police say killed his wife's lover and tried to kill his spouse.
Greg Leon, 49, appeared at the county courthouse Friday morning for a hearing on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Police say on February 14, Leon shot and killed a still unidentified man in the backseat of a pickup truck at the Park & Ride on Riverchase Way, which is just off Interstate 20. Officers believe he was aiming for his wife. Previous Coverage:Warrants Says Restaurant Owner Killed His Wife's Lover
She was not injured.
A warrant say after the killing, Leon called 9-1-1 and said "I shot my wife's lover."
During the hearing, Leon's wife, Maria, actually spoke on his behalf with the help of a translator. When asked by the judge if she feared Leon, she said "no" and asked the judge to release him so he could take care of the family business and support his relatives.
Prosecutors worried that Leon might flee to Mexico, but his attorneys said that Leon had deep ties in the community, including many relatives, and would not go anywhere.
In granting bond, the judge said Leon must surrender his passport and stay away from his wife. Leon must also have electronic monitoring, cannot have any type of deadly weapon, must adhere to a curfew and live with his parents. Leon can only travel to work, medical and legal appointments between 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Before that can happen he will have to go to federal court where prosecutors say he violated his probation.
You may recognize Leon's name, as he was involved in the public corruption investigation in Lexington County. Leon, who owns multiple Mexican restaurants, plead guilty last November to federal charges of knowingly hiring 60 people who were in the country illegally.
He also agreed to plead guilty to a state charge of paying a public official for assistance. Prosecutors say Leon testified that he paid former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts to help his employees avoid being processed at the Lexington County jail.
Leon got probation and a fine, but no jail time, because prosecutors said he was helpful in the prosecution of Metts. Previous Coverage:No Jail Time for Three Defendants in Lexington Corruption Scheme
