ROCKINGHAM — Domestic violence comes in “all shapes,” according to Ellerbe native Kristi Richardson King.
And she should know.
King and Bridget Little both shared their personal experiences of losing family members to domestic violence during a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening sponsored by New Horizons Life and Family Services.
With the walkway of the old courthouse lined in purple and white balloons, each woman told those gathered holding candles about their respective family’s tragedy.
King’s parents were murdered by her brother eight years ago.
Growing up, Edwin Anthony Richardson wasn’t a bad kid, King said. In fact, he was an Eagle Scout, made good grade and was the “textbook perfect child … then one day he wasn’t.”
King’s brother became an alcoholic and first started being violent toward their father, while their mother always took up for the son, she said.
However, one night King said she received a call from her mother to come to the house. When she arrived, deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office were at the home. Richardson had pulled a knife on his mother.
As the years went by, she said her brother was arrested multiple times — in which the cases were dropped — and every time her parents thought he would come back and hurt them.
“Imagine being a prisoner in your own home,” she said.
Looking back, King said she was naive that it was domestic violence.
“I wish I was more proactive,” she lamented.
But on Feb. 7, 2012, her family changed forever.
After responding to a call, deputies found Richardson with slits on his wrists and both parents dead from gunshot wounds, according to court documents.
While being treated for his wounds, Richardson said the harm was caused by the hands of an intruder, Assistant District Attorney Dawn Layton said in court three years ago. But, she added, a shotgun found at the scene had his DNA and one of his shirts with gunshot residue was also recovered.
Richardson was arrested that night and six days later indicted on two charges of first-degree murder.
In 2015, Richardson entered an Alford plea on two counts of second-degree murder. He is currently serving consecutive sentences and state records show his expected release date as July 21, 2049.
An Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but does admit that there is enough evidence to prosecute.
Three years later, King said her brother shows no remorse and still claims he didn’t do it.
“People can change,” she said, “but they’ve got to want to change.”
The circumstances for Little were different. She lost her husband, Dabreau Little, and sister-in-law, Terrelle Little, after they were killed March 23, 2003 by the latter’s boyfriend, Corey Robinson.
Robinson was convicted two years later and is serving two consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder.
Little said she went through “a range of emotions” following the murders including denial, disbelief, shock and sadness. Her grief was physical, emotional and psychological and she said she felt separated from the world.
“These feelings are normal with a loss,” she said. “Especially a senseless loss.”
New Horizons Executive Director Karen Bostick said there have been at least 42 people killed in domestic violence incidents across the state so far this year.
The names of each victim were on cardboard silhouettes and printed on small cards attached to the balloons which were released at the end of the vigil.
