Youth Pastor Sobs Asking Forgiveness After Stabbing Spouse & 5 Youngsters and Setting House on Hearth

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 they’d 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 response to his arrest affidavit, through Regulation&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 have been “all in mattress” when the assault occurred. Richards had additionally set fireplace to the home.

He later admitted to police that he “stabbed my household,” saying they have been imagined 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 have got the knife?”

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

Richards addressed the court docket throughout the sentencing listening to, getting extremely emotional as he spoke to the decide and addressed his household.

“By way of my actions, I introduced shame, disgrace, humiliation and sorrow on myself, my household, youngsters and lecture rooms, on soccer fields, trusted pals and my neighborhood,” he started. “This got here from my very own disgrace that saved 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 worry led me additional down a path that introduced out not solely shame but additionally violence into the lives of my household.”

He mentioned he’ll “reside every single day figuring out I brought on 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 may take a lifetime to beat,” he mentioned, crying.

“Whereas I do provide a brief apology at present, an important phrases and apologies will at some point, hopefully quickly, be shared and must be shared in non-public 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 might bury my failures and my lies and go on residing 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 buddy at present. My son endlessly.” In her quick assertion, she added, “Always remember that I’m so pleased with you and I like you greater than something on this world.”

His sister, Mary White, addressed the court docket 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 one. Everyone knows there’s penalties.”

“Nonetheless, this can be a good man. And there is a purpose my sister-in-law needed to go get her personal illustration as a result of the DA didn’t wish to hearken to her needs or desires,” she added. “I believe that these youngsters do not have to be other than their father for that lengthy, actually. He was a gift father.”

“He is a beautiful man who helped all people that he might. 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 believe being gone for that lengthy, away from all people, 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.”