Man Convicted of Shooting Stepson Gets 30 Years in Prison

Richard Richard, the man convicted of opening fire on his ex-wife and stepson in 2013, has been sentenced to prison.

A jury sentenced Richard to 30 years in jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangerment to a child.

Friday during the sentencing phase of the trial, Richard took the stand in his own defense for the first time.

Physically different from many pictures shown during testimony, Richard started describing to the court the relationship between his then wife Nicole Rishard and his two stepsons.

“It was wonderful,” said Richard. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

While on the stand, Richard said he and Nicole wanted to give their kids the life they never had growing up.

Richard said things changed when Corey’s biological father, and NBC 5 employee, became part of Corey’s life.

Richard admits he got angry.

“She was telling me how she had already started the process of finding Corey's father or however she connected with him,” said Richard. “And that they had met already and talked it over and without me hearing about it at all, as her husband, it was hard to digest this at the time."

Richard apologized to his former family for his actions.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone. I wanted to protect you and make you feel safe.”

Richard's relatives also testified on his behalf.

His biological son, Justin, painted a picture of a loving father and husband.

“Did you ever see your dad get violent,” asked the prosecution, “Never,” Justin answered.

Richard’s family said the man was devastated when Nicole left him.

"He couldn't function properly,” said Justin. “He couldn't sleep.”

But the prosecution painted his as a manipulating and controlling person.

"Despite being told by a judge not to bother her (Nicole), you went to that football game with the intent to find her, isn’t that correct,” asked the prosecution.

“No,” said Richard.

“You couldn’t find her at the football game, so you went to her mother’s house,” the prosecution asked.

“Yes," said Richard.

The prosecution also painted a man full of anger and excuses.

“You are still angry, you are full of rage, so much so that you are glaring at CJ Johnson as you sit up there today,” said the prosecution.

“No ma'am. He’s making gestures at me,” answered Richard.

“Again, lack of accountability,” said the prosecutor.

The defense believes Richard is a man who acted out of being hurt and that suffering from depression.

They believe he could be rehabilitated through probation or a lesser sentence,

The prosecution believes Richard needs to spend the rest of his life in prison.