Thomas Leighton

Species:	Human
Died:	2266
Played by:	William Sargent

Dr. Thomas Leighton was a researcher who made his home on Planet Q. Science Officer Spock said that he was a '"good empirical research scientist. Steady, reputable, occasionally brilliant."

Leighton was also one of nine eyewitnesses who could identify Kodos the Executioner. He and James T. Kirk appeared to have been personal acquaintances, perhaps as a result of their shared experiences on Tarsus IV.

In 2266, he diverted the USS Enterprise to Planet Q, ostensibly to confirm his discovery of a new synthetic food that could totally end the threat of famine on Cygnia Minor, a nearby colony. In fact, he diverted the Enterprise because he believed Anton Karidian, a traveling performer, was actually Kodos. He hoped Kirk, another of the eyewitnesses, would help him in his quest to bring Kodos to justice. Kirk wasn't convinced until, ironically, Leighton was found dead. Lenore Karidian, insanely desperate to protect her father from his past, had murdered Leighton; he was the seventh victim of her quest to eliminate all those who could identify Kodos. He was survived by his wife Martha Leighton. (TOS: "The Conscience of the King")

Although it was not explicitly stated, conversational context strongly suggests that the left side of Leighton's face was ruined during the massacre at Tarsus IV.

Thomas Leighton was portrayed by William Sargent.