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FIRST ON WGIL: First Court Appearance Continued for Accused Monmouth Murderer
POSTED 10:10am 2/25/10 A first appearance in Warren County Circuit Court for a Monmouth man charged Wednesday with the 1998 murder of what records say was his three-year old daughter will be continued on Tuesday.

56-year old Tommy Richardson was in Warren County Circuit Court Thursday morning to hear the two-counts of First-Degree Murder read. Richardson allegedly killed young Kayla Richardson on the evening of June 29, 1998.

But when Circuit Judge David Vancil asked Tommy Richardson whether he wanted to hire his own attorney or get a public defender, Richardson said he didn't know, and that if he was to hire court-appointed counsel, "you might as well plead guilty and get it over with."

The hearing was then continued until next Tuesday morning at 9am.

A statement from Warren County State's Attorney Albert "Chip" Algren's office alleges the young Richardson was found in her bed with a plastic grocery bag wrapped around her head. Algren claims Tommy Richardson said at the time he found the girl that way, but that it's never been suspected the death was an accident.

Algren's statement indicates the case was re-opened several months ago, and that led to Wednesday's grand jury indictment. Calls to his office have so far not been returned.

Tommy Richardson remains held in the Warren County Jail on $3 million bond. He faces as much as 60-years in prison on each murder count if convicted.


(Tommy Richardson)
02 24 10 by Newsroom
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