Sailor Accused in Wife’s Killing Set Free on Bail : Released: Navy Lt. Cmdr. Leonard E. Eddington II, charged with murdering his wife and burying her in their back yard, posts $400,000 to secure his release.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Leonard E. Eddington II, accused of killing his wife and burying her in the back yard of their home in Jamul, posted $400,000 in bail and was released from County Jail on Sunday morning.

Eddington, 43, was arrested Dec. 21 and charged with murdering Vickie Eddington, 29, who disappeared July 30, 1987. At the time, her husband said she had been on her way to a nighttime job at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, and that he spotted her car the next day by the side of a road.

Vickie Eddington’s family and neighbors have told police for more than four years they suspected Eddington killed his wife after he steered them away from his back yard and made little effort to search for her in the days after he reported her missing.

On the day Eddington was arrested, sheriff’s deputies unearthed human bones from a ravine behind his home that had been filled with dirt. The San Diego County medical examiner’s office identified the remains as those of Vickie Eddington, the suspect’s wife of 12 years.

Although he had been questioned a number of times, Eddington has insisted he had nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance, and worried aloud to neighbors whether he would be arrested.

His arraignment has been delayed twice. Eddington is scheduled to enter a plea this morning in Municipal Court.

Thomas Warwick, Eddington’s attorney, confirmed that his client had been released from jail Sunday but declined to say how Eddington had raised the money.

Jail officials said Empire Bail Bonds had satisfied the bail, and that Eddington was released at 2:55 a.m. into the custody of Navy Shore Patrol, which serves as the police agency for the Navy.

An employee at Empire Bail Bonds said the company charges 10% of the bond amount plus $10 as a fee, and that the remainder must be satisfied with other collateral, such as property. In Eddington’s case, he would have to come up with $40,000 to pay Empire Bail Bonds, and provide the balance of the $400,000 in collateral.

In a court hearing a week ago, Warwick proposed to a judge that Eddington be allowed to use his home and property, along with the property of his mother and brother, to satisfy the bond as he awaits trial. The judge refused the request.

Both Vickie’s father, Elmer Vess, and Jeff Dusek, who is prosecuting Eddington’s case, expressed disappointment Sunday over Eddington’s release.

“I’m sorry that he’s out,” said Vess, a retired Navy engine man. “I don’t think he deserves it.”

Dusek, who argued unsuccessfully in court that Eddington’s bail be increased to $1 million, said he still believes the Navy officer is a flight risk.

“They found a body in his back yard,” Dusek said. “That’s awfully tough for him to explain.”

It was unclear Sunday night where Eddington was staying. His mother said she was not aware that he had been released. His 14-year-old son, Michael, would not discuss his father’s whereabouts, nor would Warwick, Eddington’s attorney.

Navy officials said Eddington, who served in the Persian Gulf War, is still on active duty. He can now continue his duties as assistant maintenance officer for Viking Squadron 37, one of 27 squadrons assigned to North Island.

Viking Squadron 37 is made up of eight aircraft whose mission is anti-submarine warfare. Eddington’s job is to make sure the aircraft are in good condition.