A dad has been sentenced to 8 years in prison after he fatally punched a man while reportedly defending his daughter.
In August 2018, 12 News reported that 41-year-old Melvin Harris III and his daughter were at a convenience store when his daughter had to use the restroom. While the girl and her friend were inside the store, a man named Leon Armstrong walked up to Harris and asked for money.
Harris gave him some cash and 27-year-old Armstrong walked back into the store. Shortly thereafter, according to 12 News, Harris’ daughter and her friend came out of the store and said Armstrong tried to break into the bathroom stall she was using.
From there, the father walked into the store and told the security guard that if he didn’t take care of the situation at hand, he “would do it himself.” After meeting Armstrong outside of the store, Harris retaliated by punching and kicking the man before driving off.
While speaking out on behalf of her future husband, Harris’ fiancée defended him by saying he “was merely protecting his daughter.”
Dad Gets Sentenced to 8 Years After Fatally Punching a Man
It’s unclear if Harris knew at the time just how much damage he had done that day. According to Fox 10, Armstrong was rushed to a local hospital where it was learned that he had suffered a severe brain injury. He passed away days later.
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Harris later admitted to beating Armstrong and pleaded guilty to manslaughter as part of a plea deal after he was originally charged with second-degree murder.
On December 16, Harris was sentenced to eight years in prison as a result of his actions.