Father sentenced for killing man who broke into his daughter's bathroom
Phoenix dad pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2018 death of man who followed daughter into convenience store stall
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A father in Arizona has been sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting he killed a man who followed his daughter into a convenience store bathroom stall.
Melvin Harris pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges after beating the man to death on 2 August 2018.
The case attracted international attention and outcry, as people rushed to Harris' defence for protecting his daughter or condemned what they saw as his violent overreaction.
Around 11.30pm that night, Harris drove to a Phoenix convenience store to pick up his teenage daughter and her two friends.
When the girls left the store, they told Harris a man had tried to break into a locked stall in the women's bathroom.
She alerted the staff at the QuikTrip, and a security guard kicked the man out of the store.
Harris' daughter pointed to the man, identified as Leon Armstrong, and Harris demanded a "take care of the situation or he would do it himself," according to court records.
But Harris walked back to his car and drove to a gravel-covered area to face Mr Armstrong.
Witnesses said Harris knocked him down and repeatedly kicked and stomped him as Mr Armstrong moaned and writhed on the ground.
He was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for a broken nose and severe brain injury before dying a few days later.
When police approached Harris at his home, he admitted to his involvement and was arrested for second-degree murder, according to police reports.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser manslaughter charge in November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments