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

The previous youth pastor entered a responsible plea again in February on two expenses 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 beneficial 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 dwelling in 2023, with authorities responding to a number of calls involving a fireplace and stabbing. One of many callers was one among 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, by way of Legislation&Crime, responding officers decided Richards’ spouse and 5 youngsters — 4 boys, one daughter, solely one among whom was above 18 — had been stabbed. One of many children mentioned they have 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 have been purported to be evicted the next day from their home, however no one else within the household knew. Calling himself a “monster,” he additionally recalled one among his sons asking him, “Dad why do you could have the knife?”

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

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

“By means of my actions, I introduced shame, disgrace, humiliation and sorrow on myself, my household, children and school rooms, on soccer fields, trusted buddies 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 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 “reside daily realizing I induced 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 supply a brief apology immediately, a very powerful phrases and apologies will in the future, 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 at all times 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 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 immediately. My son without end.” In her quick assertion, she added, “Always remember that I’m so pleased with you and I really like you greater than something on this world.”

His sister, Mary White, addressed the court docket as effectively — 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} unhealthy man did a nasty factor. It is good man that did a nasty factor,” she started. “There are penalties to this and nobody is denying this example. 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 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 an exquisite man who helped everyone that he may. He simply did not know methods to assist himself,” she continued, saying her brother struggles with psychological sickness, one they now know methods to deal with.

“I believe 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.”