Murder charges dropped against man accused of killing Visalia woman in 2024

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Murder charges have been dropped against 60-year-old Leonard Sciacca, the man who was accused of killing 40-year-old Nicole Kunz in 2024.

Back on February 15, 2024, Kunz's body was found inside a home in Madera County.

Prosecutors alleged that Sciacca shot Kunz five times and waited a day to report the shooting to law enforcement, but now he's no longer accused of murder.

"For one year, he was waiting for this day and it happened," said Defense Attorney, John Jackson.

Sciacca was visibly emotional in court Friday, learning he will no longer be behind bars.

"My client has been saying from the very beginning he was innocent he did not do this and obviously today the district attorney's office has second thoughts about whether he did it or not," said Jackson.

The change comes after the Madera County District Attorney's Office says new evidence came to light.

"This is an example of the fact that investigations are always ongoing and as prosecutors we have an ethical obligation to follow the truth wherever it leads us," said Madera County District Attorney, Sally Moreno.

This is a major setback, however, for Nicole's mother.

"it certainly is always shocking for me. We were going getting ready to do, of course, jury selection, and so just the anticipation and anxiousness to just move on with the case," said Jesusita Suzie Lucio, Nicole Kunz's mother.

Not a day goes by that she doesn't think about her baby girl.

"It's unbelievable, still very unbelievable. You know I'm still waiting for my daughter to call me," said Lucio.

But the call for justice -- remains the same for the DA's office and her family.

"This is not any kind of a finding of innocence, the investigation into Nicole Kunz's death will absolutely continue," said Moreno.

"It's nothing anyone should go through. Every life has a value, and Nicole was a really amazing individual. So any kind of help, you know that they get anybody can provide you know, certainly contact anyone they need to," said Lucio.

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