An Orange County judge ruled late Thursday that a drifter who bludgeoned a Huntington Harbour woman to death on a beachside road nearly 30 years ago will not be released from a state mental hospital to an outpatient facility due to concerns that he remains a potential danger to the community.

Leonard Patton never went to prison for the 1994 killing of Jessica Uniack, a 47-year-old mother of two who Patton attacked with a tire iron and struck more than 20 times in the head and body. Instead, Patton was found not guilty by reason of insanity and has spent the vast majority of the decades since the killing receiving treatment in a locked state mental hospital.

Doctors treating Patton recently determined that he was ready to move to move to an outpatient facility, concluding that the psychosis that led to the killing and Patton’s severe social anxiety issues were under control due to medication and Patton’s acceptance of his condition and his crimes.

That led to an outcry by Uniack’s family and pushback from prosecutors, who noted that a similar release in 2006 to Leisure Towers Guest Home — a facility in Orange — ended with Patton repeatedly violating the terms of his release and being sent back to a state hospital.

After series of recent hearings, Orange County Superior Court Judge Erin Rowe on Thursday denied the request to move Patton to an outpatient facility, finding that he still poses an undue risk to the community. Along with citing his past “knowing” rule violations, the judge also noted that Patton’s “baseline state” is one of severe social phobia that can lead to impulsive decisions and aggressive thoughts.

“The court is concerned about Mr. Patton’s ability to cope,” Rowe said.

A group of around two-dozen Uniack’s family members and supporters embraced outside the Santa Ana courtroom following the ruling. Most wore green in honor of Uniack, who was born on St. Patrick’s Day.

“There is obviously some relief,” said Alex Uniack, one of Jessica’s sons. “It is not something you want to celebrate, it is not like everything is ok. It is nice to have a good day in court, but in the back of my head I know it will come up again.”

Patton is currently housed at the Sylmar Health and Rehabilitation Center.

This is a developing story. More to come.

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