Friends and family of a local teen rejoiced when the guilty verdict was read in the murder case of 35-year-old Ronald Richardson. 

The 12-person jury deliberated for just over two hours at the Morgan County Courthouse this afternoon, and ultimately returned a guilty verdict shortly after 5 p.m. for first degree murder in Richardson’s trial. The Jacksonville man was accused of killing 19-year-old Shawnskie Patterson, whose body was found between the Community Counseling Center and an apartment building at 342 West State on February 14th, 2009.

An autopsy revealed Patterson died of multiple stab wounds.

He’s facing 20 to 60 years in prison and will remain in custody until his May 4th sentencing. Richardson remained relaxed and reserved when the verdict was read, and upon turning around it was evident the defendant had tears in his eyes.

Morgan County State’s Attorney Chris Reif attributes the state’s victory to hard work on the part of the Jacksonville Police Department and his office. He wouldn’t say what prison term he’s considering recommending, but did admit it’s a possibility Richardson’s case may come back on appeal because of his choice to represent himself.

Richardson represented himself in the trial after vacating the appointment of his court-appointed counsel, Tom Piper, during Monday’s final motion hearing before Tuesday’s opening arguments. Reif says it’s likely Richardson felt his best play for a favorable verdict was going for it alone.

Richardson, who addressed the media shortly after the verdict was read, says making that choice was the right one, and added that God was his only counselor in the proceedings.

Day three of Richardson’s trial saw limited witness testimony in the afternoon session, after an extensive morning examination between Reif and Jacksonville Police Detective Brad Rogers.

Rogers, the lead detective on the case, testified to the two interviews done with the defendant, and jurors had the chance to watch both recordings as well as listen to two telephone conversations recorded while Richardson was held at the Morgan County Jail.

Reif rested the state’s case shortly after the afternoon session began.

Richardson’s trial presentation featured only one witness in Morgan County Correctional Officer Jason Valentine, who was questioned by Richardson about his demeanor when he was taken into custody and his current state of mind.

After a short recess, both Reif and Richardson were allowed to begin closing arguments. Morgan County’s state’s attorney used the platform to remind jurors “the case is about a mistake, a mistake the victim made in selling drugs.”

Reif also told the panel to “hold the state to a burden”, and “not to let sympathy blur your vision” in making the decision. Reif listed off several bullet points in explaining Richardson’s guilt, including evidence of the victim’s blood on a knife owned by Richardson, the victim’s blood on the defendant’s clothes and boots, and Richardson’s own admissions of guilt.

Richardson’s closing arguments, like much of his trial conduct, rambled at times, but stayed consistent with themes of his innocence. He told jurors that “there’s no comfort in a lie” and even called himself “a preacher that would love to save Patterson’s life.”