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Story
November 29, 1951
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Melvin Leath, charged with attempted murder after stabbing his 5-year-old son Jimmy, died early morning from self-inflicted chest wounds in St. Ann's hospital, Juneau. The boy is recovering; Leath had confessed his intent.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Death Ends Case Against Melvin Leath
Death slipped in early this morning to decide the fate of Mel Leath charged yesterday of attempted murder in the near-fatal stabbing of Leath's small son.
Leath died of self-inflicted stab wounds about 2:45 this morning according to hospital authorities. He had lain in St. Ann's hospital since last Friday night when he apparently went berserk as his family watched in this home. His wife said he drew a kitchen knife from the drawer, stabbed 5-year-old Jimmy Leath in the chest, then sank the knife into his own chest.
The Leath boy is still in the hospital, although said to be gradually improving. Mrs. Leath has been at the boy's side almost constantly since the attack.
Leath was thought to be improving, but grew worse yesterday. He had been manacled by his ankles to the hospital bed from the first. He was said to have had fits of despondency and moments of being irrational since his attempt on his boy's life.
After the attack, Juneau Police Chief Bernard Hulk and U.S. Marshal Sid Thompson say that Leath confessed to them that he wanted to kill the boy and himself. Since being hospitalized he had repeated that he still wanted to die.
Death slipped in early this morning to decide the fate of Mel Leath charged yesterday of attempted murder in the near-fatal stabbing of Leath's small son.
Leath died of self-inflicted stab wounds about 2:45 this morning according to hospital authorities. He had lain in St. Ann's hospital since last Friday night when he apparently went berserk as his family watched in this home. His wife said he drew a kitchen knife from the drawer, stabbed 5-year-old Jimmy Leath in the chest, then sank the knife into his own chest.
The Leath boy is still in the hospital, although said to be gradually improving. Mrs. Leath has been at the boy's side almost constantly since the attack.
Leath was thought to be improving, but grew worse yesterday. He had been manacled by his ankles to the hospital bed from the first. He was said to have had fits of despondency and moments of being irrational since his attempt on his boy's life.
After the attack, Juneau Police Chief Bernard Hulk and U.S. Marshal Sid Thompson say that Leath confessed to them that he wanted to kill the boy and himself. Since being hospitalized he had repeated that he still wanted to die.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
Family Drama
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Misfortune
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Attempted Murder
Self Inflicted Stabbing
Family Attack
Suicide Confession
Hospital Death
What entities or persons were involved?
Melvin Leath
Jimmy Leath
Mrs. Leath
Bernard Hulk
Sid Thompson
Where did it happen?
Juneau, St. Ann's Hospital
Story Details
Key Persons
Melvin Leath
Jimmy Leath
Mrs. Leath
Bernard Hulk
Sid Thompson
Location
Juneau, St. Ann's Hospital
Event Date
Last Friday Night To This Morning
Story Details
Melvin Leath stabbed his 5-year-old son Jimmy in the chest and then himself with a kitchen knife at home. He confessed to wanting to kill them both. Leath died from self-inflicted wounds in the hospital; the boy is improving.