Trial begins for suspect accused of two slayings

The trial began Thursday for a California man accused of using a claw hammer to beat to death a 91-year-old cancer survivor and her grandson.

Authorities allege that Thomas Richardson came to Las Vegas over the 2005 Labor Day weekend with his girlfriend's teenage son, Robert Denhart, with a plan to rob and kill Steven Folker, who was staying with his grandmother, Estelle Feldman.

Richardson was charged with multiple felonies, including two counts each of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon and robbery with use of a deadly weapon.

Richardson could receive the death penalty if convicted.

Denhart in July pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and robbery with use of a deadly weapon.

He will testify against Richardson during the trial.

In exchange, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 24 to 80 years in prison.

Denhart would be eligible for parole after the minimum sentence is served.

During opening statements Thursday before District Judge Michelle Leavitt, special public defender Alzora Jackson told the jury Denhart got a "sweet deal," because he is the only one investigators could physically connect to the crime scene.

Jackson said while there is evidence pointing to Denhart being in the mobile home with the victims, "there is not one shred or trace of evidence to connect Mr. Richardson to the violent and bloody crime scene."

In 2005, police were able to track down Denhart in Riverside, Calif., after discovering his fingerprint at the crime scene.

During the investigation, Denhart told detectives he had gone with Richardson to visit Folker.

Denhart said he used to work for Folker and believed he carried around a lot of cash.

At the time, Folker was staying with his grandmother, who lived in a mobile home park for those who are 55 and older on Stewart Avenue, near Pecos Road.

Denhart said Richardson used a hammer to beat to death both Folker and Feldman.

Denhart, who was 18, and Richardson, who was 38, said the pair then stole money and dumped their own bloody clothes and the hammer alongside Interstate 15 on their way back to Riverside.

The hammer was never recovered.

Prosecutor Pamela Weckerly described the gruesome crime scene. Both victims were face down, and blood was on the floor, the dresser, and even the ceiling.

Weckerly said not only were the victims beaten on the head "many, many, many times" with a blunt object, they were both stabbed and strangled.

During an interview with Richardson at his home, Las Vegas detectives saw a photo of him wearing a baseball cap with "Auto 500" on it. One detective recognized the cap as one found at the crime scene.

The problem, Jackson pointed out, is that the ball cap is missing. Authorities believe it was destroyed by a crew hired to clean up the crime scene, although they have a photo of the cap in the mobile home.

Police also discovered a surveillance photo they say shows Folker, Denhart and Richardson together at a Taco Bell on Nellis Boulevard on Sept. 7, 2005.

Jackson said the photo doesn't put Richardson at the crime scene.

Richardson maintains that he was in Riverside watching the U.S. Open tennis championships the weekend Feldman and Folker were killed.

Denhart is expected to testify next week.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.