Homeless man to face trial for allegedly threatening another man with hatchet in Burbank park

A 42-year-old homeless man who was convicted of murder nearly two decades ago was held to answer Thursday to threatening another homeless man with a hatchet at McCambridge Park in Burbank last month, officials said.

A judge ruled there was enough evidence to move forward with a trial against Leo Jason Cox, who was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

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On Jan. 20, Cox allegedly yelled and cursed at and held a hatchet over the head of a 54-year-old man who had just gotten out of his car near the park, officials said.

After a verbal exchange, Cox walked away.

The alleged victim told police that he and the suspect didn’t know each other and hadn’t had an altercation, Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco said at the time.

With the help of a police helicopter, officers found Cox beside a nearby Carl’s Jr. restaurant, where they ordered him to drop the hatchet before taking him into custody.

In 1998, Cox was convicted of murder in Gainesville, Fla., and in 2014, he was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas.

If convicted of the latest charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

He is being held in lieu of more than $1.1 million bail and is due back in court later this month.