Trial Ordered in Slaying of 2-Year-Old

An 8-year-old girl testified Monday that she saw the driver of a red car abduct a 2-year-old girl hours before the 2-year-old was slain and left in a Dumpster in El Cajon.

That testimony was presented by attorney Jack Campbell, who represents Matthew Lesure, 28, who is charged with murder in the slaying of Sarah Toussant, his girlfriend’s daughter, on June 14.

Lesure at first told police that he took Sarah to a neighborhood park, fell asleep and was unable to find her after he woke up. Lesure does not drive a red car, Campbell said.

Despite the 8-year-old’s testimony, Lesure was ordered to stand trial for murder by San Diego Municipal Judge Robert Stahl Jr. Lesure also faces charges of child endangerment and child abuse.

Campbell asked the judge to drop the charges against Lesure, saying the child’s testimony showed someone else kidnaped the girl and killed her.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Rick Clabby argued that the girl’s body was found inside a bag that bore her brother’s name. Clabby also said the girl was wearing different clothes than what she wore when last seen, and that Lesure had access to those clothes, since he also lived in the household.

Without comment, Stahl bound Lesure over to Superior Court after the preliminary hearing. Arraignment was set for Aug. 8.

The 8-year-old said she knew Sarah and had played with her. She said she saw the abduction as she was walking home from school. The red car, which the girl said was a Ford, pulled up and Sarah got inside.

“It looked like she was crying. Somebody pulled her in,” the girl said.