Bail Set for Navy Officer in Wife’s Slaying

Bail was set at $400,000 Tuesday for a Navy officer from Jamul whose wife’s body was discovered buried on the family’s property after she had been missing for 4 1/2 years.

The arraignment for Lt. Cmdr. Leonard Eddington II was delayed until Monday after he waived his right to be arraigned within two court days of his arrest.

The skeletal remains of Vickie Eddington, 29, wrapped in a towel and buried 10 feet deep in a ravine, were found Saturday, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jeff Dusek said.

Dusek told San Diego Municipal Judge David J. Danielsen that “blunt trauma to her head (was) the cause of death.”

Vickie Eddington was last seen alive July 30, 1987, when her car had a flat tire near California 94, about 4 miles from her home. When the car was found, the spare tire was missing and the doors were locked.

In arguing for a lower bail, his attorney, Tom Warwick, told the court that Eddington “served with distinction in the Persian Gulf War” and had “served honorably in Vietnam.”

The couple’s three children were living with Eddington at the time of his arrest, and Warwick said he is not likely to flee. The defense attorney also said Eddington had never left the area, even though he knew a murder investigation had started some time ago.

Dusek argued that the status of the case had changed Saturday, when sheriff’s deputies arrived at the Jamul home with a search warrant and a backhoe. The woman’s remains were found that day.

“He does represent a flight risk and a danger to others,” Dusek said, arguing for a $1-million bail.

Judge Danielsen turned down that request but agreed that Eddington “is now a flight risk” with the filing of the murder charge.

Eddington’s brother, sister and mother were present, but all declined to comment afterward.