Richardson, then an 18-year-old high school senior, gave birth to the baby in secret and buried her in the backyard. She was acquitted on charges of aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangering after months of litigation and a lengthy trial.
The grandmother of Richardson’s baby, Tracy Johnson, was in court today for the short hearing urging the judge not to terminate the probation.
Johnson said Richardson could have made different choices.
“You had the option of giving her up to six months in prison with time served ... I don’t think three years probation is too much to ask,” Johnson said to the judge.
Richardson teared up during a brief statement, “I am sorry for everything I have put everyone through ... I know that doesn’t seem like a lot at all.”
She said she is continuing with mental health treatment and feels remorse.
“I am very sorry and I hurt a lot,” Richardson said. “I just want to show that I can be a normal person again, that’s all.”
Oda said there is a perception and a reality to this case, and the reality is Richardson was convicted of a low-level felony.
“There is no reason for me to invest the time and resources of my probation department in supervising you,” Oda said. The judge said probation is not punishment, but “it is an opportunity to demonstrate why the stated prison term of 12 months in prison should not be imposed.”
To Richardson, Oda concluded, “There is nothing in the three years I have been supervising you Ms. Richardson that leads me to believe you do not follow the rules or are going to commit any crimes in the future.”
Attorneys requested today Judge Oda for an early release from community control.
Richardson faced up to 12 months in prison. At sentencing, Oda told Richardson she would be incarcerated if she violated conditions of her community control.
Richardson’s attorney filed in October the motion to mitigate her sentence and terminate the remaining time of her probated sentence, arguing she had done everything required. According to the attorney, she has a job, is in college and continues with mental health treatment.
“She has completed two semesters of college, has a cumulative GPA of over 3.8 and currently has a GPA of 4.0 for most recent semester,” attorney Charles M. Rittgers wrote in the motion. “In addition to school, she has also worked approximately 10 hours per week. She sought alternative employment, but was rejected each time due to the fact she is on probation."
Richardson is working at the Rittgers and Rittgers law office in Lebanon. Her attorneys say it is Richardson’s goal to become an attorney.
TRIAL COVERAGE
• Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7
• ‘There was no proof at all’: Juror describes Brooke Skylar Richardson verdict decision
• ‘Bring closure for Annabelle’: Richardson family to bury baby’s remains more than 2 years later
• WATCH all videos from Brooke Skylar Richardson trial
• Timeline: Events in the Carlisle buried baby case
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