Youth Pastor Sobs Asking Forgiveness After Stabbing Spouse & 5 Children and Setting Residence on Fireplace

The previous youth pastor entered a responsible plea again in February on two costs of tried first-degree homicide, following an assault on his household on September 16, 2023. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 29 years and 5 months in jail, receiving credit score for 558 days already served.

The sentence adopted the really helpful size by the DA, as a part of the plea deal — although Richards’ household requested for a lighter jail time period. He was initially charged with 5 counts of tried homicide.

The assault on Richards’ household went down at their house in 2023, with authorities responding to a number of calls involving a hearth and stabbing. One of many callers was certainly one of Richards’ youngsters, who mentioned that they had been stabbed — whereas a witness reportedly mentioned, “The youngsters mentioned their dad had gone from room to room all through the home and stabbed them.”

In accordance with his arrest affidavit, by way of Legislation&Crime, responding officers decided Richards’ spouse and 5 youngsters — 4 boys, one daughter, solely certainly one of whom was above 18 — had been stabbed. One of many youngsters mentioned they had been “all in mattress” when the assault occurred. Richards had additionally set hearth to the home.

He later admitted to police that he “stabbed my household,” saying they had been alleged to be evicted the next day from their home, however no person else within the household knew. Calling himself a “monster,” he additionally recalled certainly one of his sons asking him, “Dad why do you’ve got the knife?”

Per the affidavit, the kids had slashes to the neck, colon, liver, again and arm.

Richards addressed the courtroom through the sentencing listening to, getting extremely emotional as he spoke to the choose and addressed his household.

“By way of my actions, I introduced shame, disgrace, humiliation and sorrow on myself, my household, youngsters and school rooms, on soccer fields, trusted mates and my group,” he started. “This got here from my very own disgrace that stored me from reviewing my faults and sins as a result of I used to be afraid of the reality. I used to be afraid to ask for assist. The disgrace and concern led me additional down a path that introduced out not solely shame but in addition violence into the lives of my household.”

He mentioned he’ll “stay day by day understanding I precipitated that trauma and shame,” saying that’s “far worse” than any jail sentence.

“To my spouse and youngsters and the remainder of my household, I am sorry for the a number of ranges of destruction and ache that can take a lifetime to beat,” he mentioned, crying.

“Whereas I do supply a brief apology as we speak, an important phrases and apologies will at some point, hopefully quickly, be shared and must be shared in personal moments … and at a time when they’re prepared,” he continued. “These moments would be the hardest moments of my life.”

Richards mentioned that whereas he all the time strived to “do what is sweet, wholesome and proper” he “fooled” himself “into believing I may bury my failures and my lies and go on dwelling with no penalties.”

He concluded his assertion by saying he has since “sought change to enhance” himself, earlier than studying from scripture about forgiveness — concluding, “which is one thing I do know I do not deserve.”

Richards’ mom additionally spoke, calling him, “My little boy yesterday. My pal as we speak. My son perpetually.” In her quick assertion, she added, “Always remember that I’m so happy with you and I like you greater than something on this world.”

His sister, Mary White, addressed the courtroom as properly — saying she was talking “on behalf” of each her brother and sister-in-law.

“I consider that this can be a very distinctive case. This isn’t one {that a} dangerous man did a foul factor. It is good man that did a foul factor,” she started. “There are penalties to this and nobody is denying this case. No person. Everyone knows there’s penalties.”

“Nonetheless, this can be a good man. And there is a motive my sister-in-law needed to go get her personal illustration as a result of the DA didn’t need to take heed to her needs or desires,” she added. “I feel that these youngsters do not should be aside from their father for that lengthy, actually. He was a gift father.”

“He is a beautiful man who helped everyone that he may. He simply did not know how one can assist himself,” she continued, saying her brother struggles with psychological sickness, one they now know how one can deal with.

“I feel being gone for that lengthy, away from everyone, would do extra hurt than good,” she concluded. “I am simply asking mercy, sir, that you’d take mercy … he’s a loving, current father that also must be of their life.”