X-appearance

MONMOUTH - Charged with the murder of a three year old girl back in 1998, Tommy Richardson shuffled in shackles in his black and white jail-issued jumpsuit to his first court appearance Thursday, muttering about what all the fuss was about.

''Gotta make a big deal outta something, do they?'' he said , referring to the News 8 camera taping the short walk from the jail to the Warren County Courthouse.

The 56-year old owns the local Maple City Cab company, and is now accused of suffocating Kayla Richardson back on June 29th, 1998. He was indicted on two counts of felony murder on Wednesday.

Authorities aren't saying what evidence lead them to re-open the nearly 12-year old case, but say they long suspected it was no accident.

''My husband and his friend actually gave her CPR'', said Karen Mize who lives across the street from where Richardson lived at the time. She says his story never added up.

''She had her toys in a plastic bag, and the bag ended up on her head, there were just things that didn't fit''.

At the hearing Thursday, Richardson was asked if he had an attorney lined up or wanted the court to appoint one.

He replied, ''If I get a court-appointed attorney I might as well plead guilty and get it over with''.

The judge said he'll give him some time to decide who will represent him.

Richardson's daughter-in-law, son, and mother attended the court appearance. The daughter-in-law who declined to give her name says Richardson and his then-wife took care of the little girl because her mother had a drug problem.

''Her mom at the time couldn't take care of her, him and his wife at the time took her. Kayla was a very sweet little three year old, and we just don't know what to think.''

Authorities say the Richardson's were in the process of legally adopting her. They have not offered any motive for the alleged killing. He's being held in the Warren County Jail on three million dollars bond.

Source: Wqad.com