(December 14, 2019) Phoenix, Arizona - Father is jailed for eight years for beating man, 27, to death after he tried to break into his 16-year-old daughter's bathroom stall at a Phoenix convenience store.
Melvin Harris III, 40, was arrested in August 2018 after beating Leon Leevon Armstrong, 27, to death in the parking lot of a convenience store in Phoenix, Arizona.
Harris was waiting in his car for his daughter and her friends when she emerged from the store, claiming Armstrong had tried forcefully to get into the bathroom stall she was in.
The man died in the hospital from brain swelling, a nasal fracture and loss of oxygen.
Witnesses said they watched Harris repeatedly kick and stomp on the man.
Harris was originally charged with with second-degree murder but he accepted a plea deal which saw the charge reduced to manslaughter.
As part of the agreement, he will spend eight years behind bars.
The incident took place after Harris collected his daughter and her friends from work.
They stopped at the convenience store for a soda and so the girls could go to the bathroom.
As they were inside the store, Armstrong - who had a lengthy criminal history - approached Harris in his vehicle, asking for money.
He then went into the store and into the bathroom where Harris' daughter claimed he 'rattled' the door of the bathroom stall she was in, trying to get in.
She alerted security and then went back to her father's car and told him what happened.
As they prepared to leave, Armstrong emerged from the store and the girl pointed him out.
Harris then got out of his vehicle. He told police Armstrong threw the first punch.
After his arrest, Harris' fiancee spoke out in his defense. She said he was merely protecting his daughter.
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