ST. CROIX — Roland Richardson III pleaded not guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter and three child-related charges stemming from the accidental shooting death of his 4-year-old son, Jeziah Azir Richardson, last month on St. Croix.
Richardson, 27, appeared virtually from the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections for his arraignment in Superior Court on St. Croix. Magistrate Judge Christopher Timmons subsequently released him on bail.
Timmons began the hearing by offering Richardson condolences for the loss of his son.
“I know it’s a difficult time for you and your family,” he said.
Timmons noted that probable cause had already been established because Richardson was arrested pursuant to a warrant. He then explained the four charges and their potential penalties before advising Richardson of his rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to a speedy public jury trial, and the right to be released on bail.
Richardson faces up to five years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Child neglect is punishable by a fine of at least $500, up to 15 years in prison, or both. Child abuse carries a fine of at least $500, up to 20 years in prison, or both. Aggravated child abuse and neglect carries a prison sentence of between five and 30 years.
Richardson’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Nicole-Lynn King-Richardson, said bail had been set at $50,000 and that Richardson’s family had identified property in Estate Whim valued at $19,200.
Assistant Attorney General Katia Bouza said the government believed the property was sufficient for purposes of bail.
Timmons released Richardson on a secured property bond combined with a $30,000 unsecured bond. He imposed several conditions of release, including that Richardson remain on St. Croix, regularly report to the Office of Probation and Parole, remain employed or conduct a job search involving contact with at least two employers each week, and have no unlawful contact with witnesses in the case.
Richardson also was ordered not to violate local or federal laws, surrender any U.S. passport or Real ID, refrain from posting about the case on social media, and possess no firearms, ammunition or dangerous weapons.
Bouza told the court that Richardson’s father and wife, with whom he lives, both own firearms and that firearms would otherwise be present in the home. Timmons said he was “concerned” about the situation.
King-Richardson subsequently spoke with Richardson’s family members in the courtroom and informed the judge that they would remove the firearms from the home. Timmons agreed that the firearms needed to be removed.
King-Richardson then entered a not guilty plea on Richardson’s behalf to all four charges. She requested a speedy jury trial, which Timmons granted.
The case was assigned to Judge Venetia Harvey Velázquez. A discovery conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. December 29.
Richardson was arrested Tuesday following a Virgin Islands Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau investigation into the death of his son.
Police said the investigation began July 16, when the St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received a report at approximately 7:01 p.m. that a child had suffered a gunshot wound.
Jeziah was taken to Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center for emergency treatment but died despite lifesaving efforts.
At the time, VIPD said its Major Crime Unit was investigating the circumstances of the shooting and that no determination had been made. VIPD spokesperson Glen Dratte later told WTJX that the medical examiner determined Jeziah’s cause of death to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.
Richardson was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter, child neglect, child abuse, and aggravated child abuse and neglect.
Juanita Gardine Pre-K-8 School posted a message July 29 expressing condolences to Jeziah’s family, friends, classmates and loved ones. The school said Jeziah had recently celebrated being promoted from prekindergarten to kindergarten, noting that “his beautiful smile, kind spirit, and playful heart brought happiness to his classmates, teachers, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
“Although his journey with us was far too short, the love and joy he shared will remain in our hearts forever,” the message stated. “Jeziah will always be a cherished member of the Juanita Gardine family, and his memory will continue to inspire us with the innocence, laughter, and light he brought into our school.”
The Virgin Islands Department of Education also mourned Jeziah’s death.
Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington posted a message to the department’s Facebook page July 19 offering condolences to Jeziah’s family, friends and classmates, teachers, and others whose lives were touched by him.
The message said Jeziah was enrolled in the Granny Pre-K Program at Juanita Gardine Pre-K-8 School and described his “touching smile, jovial nature, and beautiful spirit” as bringing happiness to those around him.
“As we collectively mourn the passing of this precious young child, may we find comfort in the beautiful memories Jeziah leaves behind and in the joy he brought into the lives of others,” the message stated.
