'Passion of Christ' moves man to confess killing 'suicide'

Houston Chronicle ^ | March 25, 2004 | ERIC HANSON

[Dog Gone]

Fort Bend County
Sheriff's Department

Arrested: Dan R. Leach

RICHMOND -- Detectives say the death of a 19-year-old woman originally ruled a suicide has turned into a murder case after a repentant man who'd watched The Passion of the Christ confessed to killing her because she was carrying his child.

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Detective Mike Kubricht said today that investigators thought Ashley Nicole Wilson had hanged herself in January. Earlier this month, however, 21-year-old Dan R. Leach of Rosenberg turned himself in after watching Mel Gibson's controversial movie about the last days of Christ and decided to seek redemption, Kubricht said.

The young woman's body was found by her mother Jan. 19 in her Richmond-area apartment. The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide caused by asphyxia due to external compression with a ligature.

Then, on March 7, Leach, who had known the victim for many years, walked into the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department headquarters and confessed to killing her.

Kubricht said Leach told investigators he carefully planned the killing to make it look like a suicide. The suspect allegedly strangled Wilson because did not want to raise her unborn child or be involved with her anymore, Kubricht said.

A grand jury issued a sealed indictment for murder on Leach Monday and he was arrested the next day. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

[OXENinFLA]

The Senate would like to hear from this guy.


Was this 1 or 2 people murdered?

[EggsAckley]

Hey, it was good enough for Scott Peterson..................

[HEY4QDEMS]

FYI Wednesday numbers are in "passion now over $300M.

[Dog Gone]

This is the first time I can recall a movie solving a crime.

[Mr. Bird]

This is the first time I can recall a movie solving a crime.

NY Times Headline? "Murder Rate Up Since 'Passion' Release"

[kidd]

Well, since I'm not aware of this movie prompting anyone to violence - and this guy's confession is sort of reverse violence, I would have to conclude that the number of people who have been harmed after seeing this movie is now negative one.

[ChewedGum]

NY Times Headline? "Murder Rate Up Since 'Passion' Release"

I would not be surprized in the least bit.

Gum

[hellinahandcart]

I would have thought that a man who could do that sort of thing, wouldn't have a conscience that could be affected by anyone or anything, let alone a movie.

Whatever moved him, I am glad the two victims and their family have justice now.

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Was this 1 or 2 people murdered?"

Two. He killed the mother because the child lived . . .

I felt this movie to be a gushing of grace upon this undeserving time; no one will know the full impact. May God rejoice over the lamb which was lost, that is now found. And give consolation to the family. The mother finding her daughter -- how horrible . . .

[AMDG&BVMH]

"wouldn't have a conscience that could be affected by anyone or anything, let alone a movie. "

With God, all things are possible. ;)

I have to believe that the conscience "pings" in all criminals, as well as the rest of us (unless mentally incapable). Our culture has made it too easy to drown out the "pings". I.E. the abortion culture makes it easier to drown out guilt resulting from resort to murder . . .

Abortion says the death of the unwanted child is the decision of the mother. How much of a stretch, really, is it, to say that the father should have a "choice" too? There have been too many cases of the woman dying because she wanted the child to live, when the father did not. No one excuses the murder of a woman with child; but I can see the perveted logic at work . . .

Thank God this guy's conscience finally kicked in -- too bad it didn't keep him from committing the atrocity to begin with. :(

[Stagerite]

The "Crime and Punishment" (Dostoevsky) plot appears again, where a sense of guilt overwhelms an undetected killer.

[DrewsDad]

The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY

[RJayneJ]

Click icon.

Click icon.

[HEY4QDEMS]

This is the first time I can recall a movie solving a crime.

After watching the movie JFK, I'm convinced that he was taken out by the Facist Gay movement.

[longtermmemmory]

This is the second crime. An armed robber also confessed after the fact.

"west wing" would never have that type of positive and constructive social impact.