Friday, January 16, 2004

Corpus Christi, Texas



From the Corpus Christi Caller-Times of January 16, 2004



Wife not charged in killing



A Nueces County grand jury decided not to indict a 22-year-old woman arrested on charges of fatally shooting her estranged husband.



The jury dismissed the case against Noelle Richardson, who was accused of shooting John Washington Richardson in the face with a handgun on Dec. 10. Noelle Richardson could not be reached for comment Thursday.



"What great news about Noelle Richardson," said Catrina Steinocher, Women's Shelter of South Texas executive director. "This was not a crime of passion, or anything like that, that we like to write things off as. There had been a history of violence, and law enforcement had been called to her home more than once." However, Steinocher said, the shelter doesn't condone deadly force in domestic violence cases.



John Washington Richardson, 23, broke down the door of an apartment where Noelle Richardson was staying, and had a history of violence against his wife, police said.



After the shooting, police reported that John Washington Richardson was discharged from the Navy for ongoing domestic violence. They also said his wife made local police reports against him.



Steinocher said she could not confirm or deny whether Richardson is or has been a client of the shelter. But she did say that she was disappointed when she heard that Richardson had been arrested.

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