Richardson's son testifies
By John Pepin, Journal Munising BureauMANISTIQUE — Thomas David Richardson's son took the witness stand today to answer prosecution questions in his father's trial on murder and manslaughter charges.
Richardson, 46, of downstate McBain, is accused of causing the death of his wife, Juanita Richardson, who was killed in a 140-foot fall from the Pictured Rocks Cliffs on June 22, 2006. The defense says the fall was an accident.
Levi Richardson, 20, talked about how, from the beginning of the case, he's supported his father in his innocence. He said he had taken other testimony into consideration as he listened to the trial, now entering the fourth week.
Levi Richardson was asked about his mother and father's relationship and their behavior toward each other. He said his father was having a hard time talking about what happened on the day of Juanita Richardson's death and that he was "crushed" when he returned home from the Upper Peninsula after the incident.
Richardson's two daughters are scheduled to testify later in the trial.
The jury also heard testimony this morning from Dr. Tania LeBaron, a family practitioner with Cadillac Family Physicians. She testified that Thomas Richardson was certified capable to drive a tractor-trailer in three Commercial Driver's License exams performed by her in 2003, 2004 and 2006 - the last one just a month before Juanita Richardson's death. He passed all three examinations.
Thomas Richardson's alleged 2002 closed-head injury was mentioned during each of the exams, but wasn't a factor in granting his licenses, LeBaron testified. Any impairment was considered "mild" Lebaron said.
The closed-head injury issue is crucial to Richardson’s defense because attorneys have said effects from the injury caused a series of behaviors, including Richardson’s inconsistent statements to police about his wife’s death.
Testimony in the trial continues this afternoon.
