Father Accused Of Drowning Infant Son In Tub Sentenced
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Thursday, a judge made his decision about the fate of an Eden Prairie man accused of drowning his infant son last summer.
Randel Richardson was accused of drowning his 6-month-old son Rowan in a laundry tub last July.
But as many as three mental health experts ruled that his mental illness and depression were so extreme at the time that he didn't know what he was doing.
About 15 of Richardson's family members, including his wife, were in court to listen to the judge's ruling.
Some of his relatives came from Tennessee, where Richardson is originally from, to listen to the judge's ruling.
Hennepin County Judge Mark Wernick said there is enough evidence for a first-degree murder conviction, but because of the expert findings, Wernick said Richardson was not guilty of a crime. Instead he could serve time at a mental health hospital in St. Peter.
Richardson's attorney believes there is a chance his client could be released.
"I hope that that day will come. Now how soon that comes and what form that takes depends on things that are entirely out of my control with respect to his recovery from emotional and mental issues," said Richardson's attorney Tony Edwards. "I think it is likely one day that will happen but I want everybody to be clear it didn't happen today and it may not happen for some time."
Though he was found not guilty, Richardson will go back to jail until there is room available at the state hospital in St. Peter.
Once there, he will go through a 60-day evaluation to determine whether or not he is a threat to others. That evaluation will then determine where he will be committed or if he will be released.
