Why did 16-year-old Robert Richardson shoot his father at their Bel Air home and drive the body to a pond on property belonging to a relative in Aberdeen? Having admitted to police that he killed his father, what defense might there be for a boy whose age makes him a minor but who now faces murder charges as an adult?
These are among the questions that have sparked a groundswell of community support since Richardson’s arrest on Jan. 10, including the creation of a Facebook page with nearly 700 fans, a YouTube video, and a fundraising website where donations for Richardson’s defense total more than $2,700.
The Facebook page “Free Robert (Bob) Richardson III” has attracted people who know the C. Milton Wright High School student and who said that he lost his mother to cancer years ago and allege that he was abused both physically and emotionally by his father, Robert C. Richardson, Jr. Others say they don’t know Bob Richardson but are haunted by his case and want to ensure he has the best possible defense. Richardson has been represented thus far by a public defender.
Richardson is charged in connection with the shooting death of his father with first- and second-degree murder and the use of a handgun in the commission of a felony. He was denied bail on January 11 and is currently being held in the Harford County Detention Center.
The following information is from the “Free Robert (Bob) Richardson III” Facebook page, including the link to the fundraising web site: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Robert-Bob-Richardson-III/275963722462829?sk=info
About: On Jan 9 2012, Robert killed his father, and was caught by police the next day. Robert was driven to desperation by years of alleged abuse and neglect, witnessed by many friends and family.
Description: Robert was constantly seen with bruises, or in clothes that didnt fit. He lived with his father, Robert Richardson Jr. (58) who allegedly abused him, verbally, mentally, and physically. Bob is a great friend and was driven to desperation from the 16 years of alleged abuse by his father. When he believed he had no other choice, he shot and killed his father. Many friends, and some family are coming forward with stories that they witnessed abuse, or unusual, unexplained marks, etc. We believe that Robert is innocent of murder, and that his case should be remanded to the juvenile courts, where he is more likely to get the help he needs. We have set up this page as a show of our support for Bob.
if you’re wondering how to help, please visit this website to make a donation
https://www.wepay.com/donations/attorney_fees?utm_campaign=donations&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook&ref_uid=4188851
or mail bob at
Robert Richardson
#115039
Harford County Detention Center
P.O. Box 1245
Bel Air MD 21014
Website https://www.wepay.com/donations/attorney…
A YouTube video about Bob Richardson can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KxILjOa2hY
i dont understand how friends and family new of bruises and abuse but did not contact the police. why r people coming out of the woodwork now to help him? where was the help through the yrs of abuse?
Great Question! And apparently the neighbor that was interviewed on the news said that she knew this was going on as well. Why when people know that a child’s life is in DANGER, do they NOT do anything to help that child. In my opinion, those that stood by to do NOTHING are just as guilty for the abuse. I don’t condone the shooting/death of this boy’s father. But this boy will also need some intensive counseling.
Hi. i’m actually the creator of the facebook page. Bob and i were friends, but he never really opened up about his home life. it was something he kept secret. i guess we each had a little sliver of information, but none of us were able to put it all together until after the fact. its a sad situation for all involved. ive been beating myself up like crazy for not figuring it out. i guess i never thought about it, or had a reason to think about it. thats a huge reason i started the page. not only to get people who saw something to come forward and speak to the defense team, but also to educate people of the signs.
Hannah,
While what you are doing to help your friend is commendable, I don’t get it. After speaking to local law enforcement close to the case, they knew as well that the boy’s father was a sorry ass role model. However they also went on to say that your friend was no angel either. Drug use (including partying with his father), truancy from school, drug dealing, theft to name a few.
Wearing non conforming or dirty clothes is not a reason to MURDER your father. No one can PROVE physical abuse, at this point in time it is nothing more than hear say.
This case has so many issues with it, and I am not the one responsible for judging him, but for you to think this boy needs to be freed and not held accountable for what he has done sickens me! Did his father deserve to be shot and killed execution style? Did he deserve to be driven around in the trunk of a car until being dumped like trash in a pond? He is not here to defend his name or accusations against him, however every time your friend decided to run away, he was calling the police out of parental concern to bring him back.
I was under the impression, possibly incorrectly, that a neighbor had made phone calls to the police (possibly Sheriff’s Office), reporting yelling and arguing coming from the Richardson home. Whatever the case, this is a familial tragedy. No judgements should be passed on anyone involved.
you heard correctly. the police were called a dozen times in the past 6 months. as i said in response to the comment above, im the creator of the page, and ive done lots of research on this. everyone knew a tiny little bit of what went on, but nobody knew the whole case.
Hannah for future reference (hopefully you will never need it) for you or anyone out there. You do not need to KNOW abuse is going on just SUSPECT it. You can call social Services and you will remain anonymous to the suspect. Usually they blame the school. They will investigate the complaint. SO for anyone out there who suspects a child is being abused….make the call!
they had been called.
I’m with Hannah on this. I approached Social Services about something that looked like the parents were engaged in their own selfish, abusive, and otherwise criminal activities and I was simply told there was nothing they could do. It was clear to me that the kids were living in a home where neglect was rampant.
By the way I am a firm believer that the words “Nothing they could do” are a euphemism for “Nothing they will do”
Today’s quote from my Franklin Planner reads:
“Some people fold after one timid request… Keep asking until you find the answers….”
This doesn’t always work of course, but if you keep trying and they still refuse to act on their responsibilities, it wasn’t because of a lack of resolve from you.
You also have to be talking to the right person. DSS can be a large and confusing place (even for the people who work there), and if you aren’t calling the right number (not always obvious) and the right person doesn’t answer the phone (if anyone answers it), you will have problems.
When you call CPS/APS (child/adult) they will typically ask you a standard battery of questions. If certain criteria aren’t met based on your responses, they aren’t going to do anything other than file the “complaint”. If they have actionable information, they will investigate, but at that point if certain criteria aren’t met, they may not do anything.
These are protections. There are quite often people/cases that fall into a gray area where they clearly need some kind of help, but there’s not clear agency/policy/solutions to implement until the situation changes.
Yes without question.
I don’t know the circumstances of this case. I do know that people are afraid that the abuser, who apparently had been reported, was still free. Although reports of abuse are supposed to be confidential,some were probably afraid of retaliation. Imagine living next door to someone who is already out of control and him finding out that you turned him in – not a pretty thought. Something was very wrong here but let’s not rush to judgement until evidence is gathered and presented. Perhaps family, friends and neighbors had done all that they could legally and a desperate child took a desperate action in an attempt to be free.
karen, thats a great point! i created the page and i never thought of that. thank you!
Please make a donation so this young man can have a good attorney to represent him,he deserves that right! He has had enough pain in his young life lets show him that people do care!
thank you shelley! i made the facebook page, and let me tell you, the response is phenomenal! we’re almost at 3000 (75 away at the moment) in donations for bob, and many people have sent money orders to him directly at the jail, who knows how much that adds up to?
I pray that something good will come out of this tradegy of abuse and murder. I am so warmed by the outcry to help this young man Robert Richardson. I pray we will all take it one step further and use this tradegy to spread awareness. Child abuse can last well into high school. We cannot assume someone else is helping. Let’s also keep the pressure on our politicians not to allow public health services to be cut. In these times we need more mental Heath support, health care for thoses truly in need and social services for the abused and neglected. Please let’s work together to keep this kind of tradegy from happening again. Reach out, be aware, offer help, not judgement. Give Roberts story a purpose and a meaningful ending. God bless.
Valerie, your comment says it all. thats half the reason i created the page. thank you!
It is really a shame that this level of support is rarely seen for victims of horrific crimes and this murderer is going to receive donations and possibly an attorney for his actions. There are so many worthy causes and charities that this money could go to. Myself and inmates around this young man have been absolutely disgusted at how he has told and retold the entire story of the murder to anyone that will listen. The entire time laughing and talking about how exciting it was when he was fleeing from the police and how much damage he did to the church wall. There have been life long criminals that have seen his lack of remorse and general amusement at the fact that he killed his father and even they were sickened by him. If you are a friend of this kid, by all means you can stand by him but anyone who has no personal connection to this situation should move on with their lives and not jump on every emotional bandwagon that passes you by.
“King of Common Sense”? King of Lies, more like. How sad that you’re so desperate for attention in your life that you need to post absurdities. Why don’t you take up a hobby; you might make some friends that way.
The neighbor that lived on his street you saw never saw the father or son. She did call the police on the father because of things she would hear while in her yard a few hundred feet away. She also has children. I think she has expressed how bad she has felt for not going over there herself. Would you confront a man that you know nothing about and could be under the influence or armed or would you call the police? Having never seen the child I dont know how she could of alone gotten him removed from the home. I think the whole community feels bad enough thanks for your kind words.
What people also don’t understand is that if you are 16 and you do go through with having charges pressed against your father when you are living with him how it will completely ruin your living situation. Obviously he had no other family to stay with otherwise i’m sure he would have went out of his way to go do that and possibly report it to the police. The Bel Air police department and the State Troopers at the Bel Air barracks are also not shining examples of law abiding citizens anyway and most of them only care a certain amount. Not to say that every officer within those departments wouldn’t care and are not decent humans it’s just how it is. Humanity only cares when it typically benefits them. Honestly it seems like they are more excited about the fact that there was a murder in their district and not the facts based around it. If you were 16 years old; had no one in your life other than your friends that you have met through school, or your neighborhood would you really want to risk giving the only release you have up just to press the charges? He would surely be thrown into Harford County’s system and then probably bounced around from home to home till he is 18 then off to do whatever. Where would he go then? I know what it is like to feel trapped. It’s not a great feeling, and I probably would of done the same thing if I were in his shoes. All the self righteous people who like to claim their morals would prevail in a situation like this have clearly never been to that point. You act out of desperation not intelligence. I never knew the kid but I wish him the best of luck especially since the public pretender will certainly not be the best option but the only one he has. Hannah, maybe you should attempt to contact lawyers throughout Harford County and possibly Baltimore County to see if they will take up his case pro bono? It’s worth a shot. Good luck.
Dan… what does the Bel Air Police department or the Maryland State Police have to do with this kids troubled past or actions? If anything you should be thanking the Troopers that located this kid and took him off the street. I’m sure you would be singing a much different tune if your family was involved. Get over the fact that a Bel Air Town cop wrote you a seat belt ticket when you were 16 and that you deep down always wanted to be a Trooper but couldn’t make the cut. If people took me responsibility for their actions and stopped blaming others maybe the world would be a different place.
It is rather the same with abused women. You know the hell that you are living in, the Hell that the abuser convinced you is outside is an unknown and therefore frightening, as an adult abused woman, I can only feel pain for this child and wish someone would have cared sooner. I am sure that he will suffer for this for the rest of his life no matter what happens, he is still a scared child sho is now totally alone. Pray that he gets the help that he needs for as long as is needed and that he may one day have a life!!
Most of these comments just make me laugh…. I feel for this kid BUT at 16 you know right from wrong I mean that is just the way it is. He knew murder was wrong he knew riding around and discarding the body was wrong, from what I have read this kid had been in trouble before so this is no excuse Im sorry but wrong is wrong and he is wrong. As for this comment you might be right he might not have had anywhere else to go and would have ended up in foster care but what does he have now. At least if authorities got involved his dad could have gotten help and had case workers in once a week but he would still have a home now he doesnt have anything or anywhere to go. Im sure if he gets off someone bleeding heart will take him in and then he could possibly get mad at them for telling him he couldnt do something and do the same thing to them. Sorry I just do not agree with all this bleeding heart, he knew what he was doing or he wouldnt have tried to discard the body like he did. I have no pity for this kid and I wouldnt waste my money.
I dont think that is true at all because he is on watch and in isolation away from the adults. Not sure who would be in his isolation cell chatting it up with him. Your full of it.
First of all, the isolation cells are in a group of four isolation cells. Second, the shower that isolation uses is attached to a cell block that houses up to 16 inmates on lock down. Lastly, this kid goes to court with everyone else so he has plenty of opportunity to “chat it up” with others and to be observed doing so.
Lol I must have struck a nerve. Keep attempting to personally attack me it might make you feel better and it might make it seem like you have half a clue of what is going on.
Dan I know much more then you I can assure you that. You just remember to keep that seat belt on buddy.
KING OF COMMON SENSE
I dont think that is true at all because he is on watch and in isolation away from the adults. Not sure who would be in his isolation cell chatting it up with him. Your full of it.
SAN,
And you don’t know very much about the configuration of the jail. Who would he be chatting up? Well Officers of course, they are the ones “constantly watching” him. This young man wouldn’t be the first one to day in and day out spill it all to one or more of the officers.
He would be wise to keep his mouth shut.
“Retired” yet another know-it-all who acts like he’s right in the thick of things.
I believe that you are right about Retired, this person needs to get a hobby, I’ve seen some of the other posts and my thought is if you have nothing to say but tear others down, you must not have much to say…..
Trish and Hope,
If you do not agree with my advice, so be it. I am only recommending he not say anything around or to the officers about his situation. I also don’t know if he has already done that. He would not be the first one to have talked to the officers and told them in detail how a crime was committed.
I always thought that isolation watch was done by closed circuit tv to a single officer, not a personal (tell-a-buddy) situation. I am thinking that “someone” is just a frightened little mouse who pats themselves on the back when they are such a big toughie and beating up people online (under a fake name of course)!!
UGH,
Yes, sometimes the watch is accomplished by CCTV, but not always. My point has to do with inmates talking to officers about the alleged crime, and my recommendation is “Don’t do it”. If you don’t feel that is sound advice, so be it.
KING OF COMMON SENSE
Your correct I dont know or ever will know about the inside of jail. You do I guess . So you were and inmate there or employed by the HCDC??? It sounds to me like you are someone that was close to his father perhaps. If so I am sorry for your loss.
I have talked to an attorney who is not working his case but she does know the layout of where he is being kept and he is under watch and in isolation. The attorney I know have said he is scared to death and definitley not bragging.
You said he was telling other inmates..remember ^^^…hardened criminals that had their tummys upset by his stories and lack of remorse..You now say he was telling the officers that were in charge of watching him so he doesnt kill himself because he is so confused and upset. You said that… after I stated he didnt have contact with the other inmates. He is not in contact with other inmates to tell this story to …let alone sit around and laugh with them. I understand you dont agree with what he has done. I dont think anyone does. If you have witnessed what you have stated than I guess we will be seeing you up on the winess stand after the prosecutor calls you and I will personally apologize to you because I will be there.
hanna is a bit immature and self-obsessed to see the issues and ramifications of such a heinous crime. not surprising. the question here isnt who is innocent, bel air residents certainly are not. neither is the issue who is guilty. no one, not even the father has been proven guilty. this one is beyond public opinion or posing immature little girls like hanna.
the REAL question here IS NOT whether it is OK to murder your father if he doesnt buy you stylish clothes. the REAL issue here isnt whether bob was abused verbally, because even in the wealthiest houses, children are abused and NO ONE is MURDERED. the REAL question may involve whether the father was guilty of unimaginable crimes. there is no question bob killed his father.
the MOST IMPORTANT question here is will the DA take heart and abuse into consideration and allow bob to plead guilty with intense-support and counseling services being part of the sentencing, or will bob do hard time when NO ONE wants that.