Aptos Murderer Denied Parole 28 Years Later

Twenty-eight years later, Richard Richardson is still paying for his crime.

Richardson was convicted of the Nov. 7, 1984 murder of John Muir in Aptos, and was up for parole this week. However, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee announced Thursday that Richardson has been denied exit form prison.

"The People opposed Richardson's parole because of the brutal nature of the offense, the inmate's prior record, lack of prison adjustment that has included the use of controlled substances, refusal to accept full responsibility for all aspects of his crime and a relapse prevention plan developed only two days before the hearing, absence of any confirmed plans for employment, treatment and place to live upon his release," according to an official statement from the District Attorney's Office. 

On the morning of Richardson's crime, he drove to the home of the victim, then 68, with the intent of murder to support his drug habit. According to the District Attorney's Office, he entered the home and stabbed Muir 14 times in the chest and throat, stole $150 in cash and fled the scene. Complicating the matter, Richardson's mother-in-law was married to the victim.

Richardson's next parole hearing will be held in 2015.