Posted on 08/15/2018 6:45:47 AM PDT by Simon Green
A Phoenix father is charged with murder for allegedly killing a man who was trying to get into his daughter's bathroom stall.
Melvin Harris' fiancée, Diana Jackson, says he and his 16-year-old daughter stopped at a convenience store so she could use the restroom. Harris said a man, later identified as Leon Armstrong, tried to get inside the stall with the teen.
They alerted store management and security.
But Jackson believes Harris felt not enough was done about it.
Harris told the security guard to 'take care of the situation, or he would do it himself.'
As they were driving away, Harris spotted Armstrong again and got out to confront him.
Witnesses say Harris then went after Armstrong, repeatedly stomping and kicking him.
"He did was he was supposed to do for our kid," Jackson said. "You cannot tell someone they're wrong for protecting their children."
Armstrong died at the hospital. Harris told police Armstrong took a swing at him first.
Harris is charged with second-degree murder.
Yep. I wonder if he will ever feel regret about what he did. Many would not, and I’m not sure that’s wrong.
I am glad this father protected his child, but don’t know if this is going to be an open and shut case of jury nullification.
Got no problem kicking the mans arse, but beating him to death, especially when you have had time pass from the incident to the confrontation... that’s a hard sell for heat of the moment fatherly protection going too far.
they are both black men.
“I suspect Harris’ daughter will have very polite suitors when she is dating from home.”
Unfortunately, when the daughter is dating from home, her father will be living in a gated community.
Sounds like 2nd degree will likely stick. After the incident had concluded and all parties had departed, he saw and confronted Armstrong again. He could claim self defense as Armstrong threw the first punch, but to claim that he was protecting his daughter, after everybody had gone home, will likely be perceived as thin.
Father of the Year!!!! He deserves a medal, not a murder conviction.
Or me.
I don’t think I would feel regret about killing him. As I said, he NEEDED killing. In Texas, that might actually be a defense!
But bankrupting my family with legal expenses - now that is a big steaming pile of regret!
I don’t think past history is admissible in a court of law.
This guy needs a GoFundMe, unlike the Shimmy Clown that just got fired from the FBI.
Not guilty.
I agree with both of your points.
I’m fairly sure the prosecution would not want me on the jury ...
And I’m on call for jury duty this month. But not in Arizona.
Yep, 'no bill' here.
Correct.
It takes only one out of 12 jurors to make that statement incorrect. I would suspect a plea agreement that doesn’t result in jail time.
That is one poorly written sentence.
Probably. I hope so.
Not guilty.
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