Palm Desert man charged in Cathedral City overdose death pleads not guilty

Update 10/13/26

Charges were dismissed in this case, following a judge's ruling that there was insufficient evidence to bind the defendant over for trial. 

At the end of a preliminary hearing, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Michael Dest at the Larson Justice Center in Indio dismissed both felony counts, finding no grounds for trying William Joseph Leonard.

Original Report 6/23/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)-- Charges have been filed against the Palm Desert man accused of the Cathedral City overdose death this past January. 

William Joseph Leonard, 55, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and distribution of controlled substances. He was arraigned earlier today in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio where he pleaded not guilty to the aforementioned charges.  

Leonard was arrested last week by the Cathedral City Police Department in connection to the overdose death of Ricky Heath, 55, that occurred on January 18, 2025. 

First responders arrived at the scene on the 34100 block of Linda Way, near Dinah Shore Drive. Despite their efforts to perform life-saving care Heath was pronounced dead at the scene. 

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Police suspected Leonard injected the deceased with narcotics which ultimately resulted in the man’s death. Following the autopsy, it was said that Heath’s cause of death was due to "Acute Methamphetamine Intoxication" by the Chief Forensic Pathologist.

Leonard is set to be back in court on August 20. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.