Ax murder suspect, 19, pleads not guilty

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The attorney for a 19-year-old accused of murdering his stepfather by repeatedly striking him in the head with an ax waived his client's right to appear in court and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Kenny Richardson is accused of murdering his stepfather , 67-year-old Rayford Rivers in his Chunchula home in September.

Defense attorney Art Powell said Richardson was "scared," and that he didn't think he should appear due to his demeanor in the last hearing.

"He's a very frightened young man. I think there's a lot more to this story that will come out down the road," said Powell.

During Richardson's first hearing, he barely spoke, and at some points didn't talk to the judge at all. Wednesday, the judge set a preliminary hearing date for Richardson and made no change in his bond.

 Rivers' cousin said the two didn't have a history of disputes.

"That's what's so weird. No, they didn't have nothing like that. He raised this man. He raised him since he was 2-years-old, then he's going to do this," said Hubert Rivers.

While Richardson was being taken into custody, he kept muttering the word, "misunderstanding", but this family member said if Richardson is guilty, there has to be more involved.

"Someone says it's a misunderstanding. How could it be a misunderstanding that you chop a man in the head? How's that a misunderstanding?" Rivers said.

Richardson's preliminary hearing has been set for November 8.