The passion, the guilt

A Texan has confessed to a murder he got away with, after sitting through Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".

14:49 26 March 2004

A Texan has confessed to a murder he got away with, after sitting through Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".

Dan Leach admitted to police that he killed his pregnant girlfriend Ashley Nicole Wilson - who was found hanged January 18th, according to Bend County Sheriff's Department.

"He mentioned that speaking with a friend and seeing the movie made him feel remorse," police said.

Leach, 21, said he committed the crime in a way that made it look as if the 19-year-old had killed herself.

She was found in her apartment with a suicide note describing her depression.

Leach said he was looking for redemption after watching the film depicting the last 12 hours of Christ's life.

He went to the police on March 9th and was released while his claim was investigated. He has since been arrested and is being held in custody with bail set at $100,000 (55,500).

"The Passion of the Christ" opens across the UK today. It has been criticised for its levels of gore as well as by prominent Jewish leaders.