The machete-wielding Catonsville man shot and killed by Baltimore County police Saturday was awaiting trial on charges of displaying pornography to children, court records show.
Jason William Leary, 25, of the 6100 block of Edmondson Avenue, was arrested Nov. 9 by Howard County police and accused of showing pornography to his 11-year-old foster daughter and his 5-year-old son between Aug. 28 and Sept. 14.
The girl told police Leary took her to the Exec Motel in Elkridge where he “forced her to watch pornography,” according to charging documents. The boy also told police his father showed him pornography.
When Leary?s wife, Amanda, objected, he told her the children “needed to learn,” according to the police report.
Both children gave recorded statements to police, who obtained an arrest warrant for Leary.
Leary was shot sometime after 9:21 p.m. Saturday after Baltimore County police responded to his home ? where a caller told police Leary was “violently beating” his wife.
As police officers approached his door, Leary met them ? and sprayed one with what appeared to be pepper spray, officers said.
He then ran at the officers with a machete raised in his hands, prompting one of the officers to fire several shots, striking Leary in his upper body, police said.
Wayne Kirwan, a spokesman for the Howard County State?s Attorney?s Office, said the two counts of displaying obscene items to minors will be dropped because of Leary?s death.
Attempts to reach Leary?s family were unsuccessful.
