By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County District Judge Kent Lynch on Friday sentenced Samuel Becker to life plus 5 1/2 years in prison.
A jury in January found Becker, 23, of Pittsburg, guilty of first-degree murder in the Jan. 30, 2007, shooting death of Jamey Richardson and 10 other felony charges involving several victims, including kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.
Becker likely will spend at least 25 years in prison under the sentence, said Barry Disney, an assistant Kansas attorney general who prosecuted the case.
Richardson was 26 when he was found dead Jan. 30, 2007, in a car in Baxter Springs. The former Pittsburg State University basketball player died of a single gunshot wound to his left calf.
Richardson’s mother, Gwendolyn Richardson, asked outside the courtroom about Becker’s apology his attorney read in the courtroom, said she forgives him.
Lynch, in handing down the sentence, acknowledged that it was “an incredibly lengthy sentence,” but said it would be wrong to allow the sentence for the other felony charges to run concurrently — at the same time — with the sentence on the murder charge.
Disney said Becker would be eligible for parole on the murder charge after 20 years, but after serving the murder sentence, would be required to serve the sentence for the other crimes. He said he hopes Becker spends the rest of his life behind bars.
“We thought it was a fair sentence,” Disney said.
Richardson’s fiancee, Jennifer Edwards, made a tearful statement before Becker’s sentence was announced. She held out photographs for Becker to see.
“This is the person you killed,” she said. “This is his son, who he never got to hold because of your actions,” she said holding a photo of their son who was born after Richardson’s death.
Edwards said Richardson was very special to many people around him, but was taken from them in such a violent way.
“The question so many people have is: ‘Why?’” Edwards said.
Addressing the judge, she said: “My life will never be the same, and I just want you to take that into consideration.”
The case revolves around the theft of a safe belonging to Edward Gordon, of Baxter Springs. According to trial testimony, Gordon sold marijuana for Aaron Graham, of Pittsburg. The safe contained money and marijuana for which Gordon owed Graham repayment.
Witnesses testified during the trial that the three defendants traveled from the home of one Gordon friend to another, threatening the friends with a gun and attacking them to try to obtain information about the missing safe. Witnesses described Becker as the “muscle,” who did most of the beating and attacking. Richardson was shot outside Gordon’s house in Baxter Springs after they had returned there.
Becker’s attorney, Michael Gayoso Jr., said he and his client were disappointed in the sentence, but that his client had expected the worst. He said the case has received heavy publicity and that he thinks that affected the sentence.
“We felt the judge succumbed to public pressure,” Gayoso told reporters.
Before Becker was sentenced, Gayoso read a statement written by Becker in court. Becker wrote that he asks for forgiveness, but doesn’t expect it. He wrote that he apologizes to his parents.
“I ask for forgiveness to those present at Gordon’s home that evening, and especially to the family and sons of Jamey Richardson,” Becker wrote. “The heartache reaches beyond my family, and I am terribly sorry for what occurred.”
Becker wrote that he would dedicate the rest of his life to doing good.
“Good people can do stupid things with unintended consequences,” Becker wrote. “I know firsthand that unintended consequences can change peoples’ lives forever. My vow to my family, those involved on Jan. 30, and this court is that I will strive to be a good person and attempt to live a life that I can be proud of.”
Gwendolyn Richardson, who traveled from Georgia to attend the sentencing hearing, said she accepts Becker’s apology. She said Becker is young, and people make mistakes. She said he has accepted responsibility and is being punished for his mistake.
“I’m glad justice was done,” Richardson said of the sentence.
Gayoso said that will mean a lot to Becker.
Other cases
Also Friday, Edward Gordon, 20, of Baxter Springs, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the case. He entered a plea of “no contest” to the charge as part of a plea agreement. He will be sentenced July 29. The plea agreement calls for a 10-year prison sentence.
Co-defendant Aaron Graham is to be tried beginning July 14. Gordon may be called to testify at the trial.
