Melvin Harris, a Phoenix father who fatally beat a man that allegedly tried to enter his daughter’s bathroom stall, was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The incident took place at a Phoenix convenience store on August 2, 2018.
Harris, who was initially charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
On the day of the tragic incident, Harris had taken his daughter at a QT convenience store near 19th and Dunlap Avenues in Phoenix and waited for her at the parking lot.
When she got out, she told her father that a man, later identified as Leon Armstrong, tried to enter her locked bathroom stall.
Security escorted Armstrong out, and while he was taken out of the store, Harris’ daughter pointed him out to her father who started a verbal confrontation.
However, things got out of control very quickly and Harris punched Armstrong in the face, knocking him down. After he fell on the ground, Harris continued beating him and stomped on him before leaving the scene.
As a result of the punches, Armstrong sustained severe brain injury and passed away a couple of days later.
Harris was arrested shortly after. He argued he acted to defend his daughter, but according to prosecutors, he crossed the line and used excessive force. Harris took a plea deal, admitting to manslaughter in exchange for dropping the murder charge that would have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.
The case gained a nationwide attention with people taking sides. While many claimed Harris did what any father would do to protect their child, others said he shouldn’t have taken matters into his own hands.
At the same time, the case raised questions regarding violence and self-defence, as well as what security guards are expected to do in situations like these.
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Bored Daddy
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