Crime & Safety

Friends, Supporters Rally For Bel Air Teen Charged With Murder

The rally took place in front of the Harford County courthouse on Main Street in Bel Air prior to Robert Richardson III's court hearing.

More than a dozen people stood outside Harford County Circuit Court Friday morning waving signs in support of a Bel Air teen charged with murdering his father in January 2012.

Robert C. Richardson III, now 17, of the 800 block of Moores Mill Road, is charged with first- and second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime in connection with the shooting death of his father.

The younger Richardson allegedly admitted to shooting and killing his father then dumping the body in Aberdeen, a police spokesman told Patch the day of teen's arrest. He was 16 and a student at C. Milton Wright High School at the time.

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Supporters of the teen allege he was the victim of ongoing abuse at the hands of his father and was "driven to insanity," according to the "Free Robert (Bob) Richardson III" Facebook page which has more than 1,500 followers.

Those advocating on Richardson III's behalf also believe he should be tried as a juvenile, however under Maryland law a 16-year-old who is charged with first-degree murder is tried as an adult and cannot be returned to juvenile court, according to the Harford County State's Attorney's Office.

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"He's a child. We have failed him and we continue to fail him," Margaret Duff, whose daughter is a friend of Richardson III, said Friday.

Duff went on to say that there are many other children like her daughter's friend who "get lost in a system that isn't adequate."

"He needs to be in the juvenile justice system with services to protect him," she said. "He needs a chance."

Eileen Siple, whose daughter started the Facebook page in support of Richardson, said she and her family remain in close contact with the young man.

"He calls my house just about every day," Siple said.

She said she believes the support Richardson III has recieved since the fatal events of January 2012 are a big part of what keeps him going. The teen has been incarcerated at the Harford County Detention Center and kept in isolation since his arrest.

"That's psychologically damaging to an adult, let alone a child," Siple said of being held in isolation.

The case has increased her concern not only for Richardson III, but also other kids like him.

"The more I learned the more horrified I was," Siple said. "Now that I know, I'm just, I'm angry."

Siple said she was upset not just by Richardson III's experiences but also by the country's willingness to try children as adults.

"How can we as a civilized country treat these children this way," Siple said.

See also:

  • Trial Rescheduled For Teen Charged With Father's Murder
  • Richardson Indicted on First Degree Murder Charges
  • Facebook Page Supports Robert Richardson
  • Teen Charged With Murder Had Run Away from Home Before
  • Murder Charges Stand Against Bel Air Teen
  • Hearing Set for Teen Charged with Murdering Father
  • 'No Bail' For Bel Air Teen
  • Bail Hearing Set For Teen Charged With Murder
  • Teen Charged As Adult In Father's Murder
  • Teen Could Face Charges In Father's Death


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