Melvin Harris, a 41-year-old father from Phoenix, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Originally charged with second-degree murder, Harris claimed he acted to protect his daughter during the 2018 incident.
On August 2, 2018, Harris arrived at a QT near 19th and Dunlap avenues. When his daughter exited the restroom, she told him that a man had tried to enter her locked stall. Security escorted the man, later identified as Leon Armstrong, out of the store, and Harris’ daughter pointed him out.
Harris then told the security guard he would handle the situation himself. Witnesses reported that he punched Armstrong in the face, knocking him to the ground, and continued beating him before leaving the scene. Armstrong suffered a severe brain injury and died a few days later.
This story was originally reported in November 2019 and is being republished.
