Suspect in ax murder has preliminary hearing

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - More details were released in a case involving a stepson accused of killing his stepfather with an ax. A preliminary hearing was held Thursday for 19-year-old Kenny Richardson.

A Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigator testified that the night of the incident Richardson and his stepfather, 67-year-old Rayford Rivers, got into an argument. The investigator said Richardson would not be clear on what the argument was about, only calling it a "simple" argument.

The investigator testified that Richardson had gotten angry about the argument and walked outside and retrieved what Richardson called a hatchet from Rivers' truck. The investigator testified that Rivers was allegedly sitting on the couch in his home when Richardson walked in and attacked him .

Richardson told the investigator after he hit his stepfather twice with the blunt side of the ax, he then called 911. The investigator said then Richardson grabbed a pair of clothes and fled to the woods, where the investigator said Richardson told him he stayed that night.

The investigator told the court Richardson walked to a nearby home that next day, and asked the homeowners if he could use the phone. The investigator said that's when Richardson called authorities to turn himself in.

The defense brought up the fact that Richardson had been at one time at the Mobile County Youth Center due to a drug problem. Defense attorney Art Powell asked the investigator many questions, including if Richardson had talked about any abuse in his past. The investigator testified that Richardson told him there was no previous abuse of any kind.

During a bond hearing in October, Richardson pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Both the prosecution and the defense talked to our cameras after the hearing. Both said there’s still a lot to find out about this case. Powell said that nothing about the case makes sense.

Chasity Byrd will have more from the courtroom coming up on FOX10 News at 5 p.m.