Man wanted in Richardson homicide arrested in Texas, police say

A convicted felon being sought on first-degree murder charges for the death of a local man whose body was found dumped at Greenwood Cemetery in October has been arrested in Rockwall, Texas, Hot Springs police said Saturday.

Donald Franklin Williams, 55, was also being sought on felony charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons in connection with the death of Cory Richardson, 31, whose body was found Oct. 23 next to the cemetery's main entrance at 701 Greenwood Ave.

Details of Williams' arrest, which police announced on social media, were not made available on Saturday.

"He is currently in custody in Rockwall, Texas, and will be extradited back to Hot Springs," police said in a posting on their Facebook page.

If convicted, Williams could face up to life in prison on the murder charge.

In early December, police asked for the public's help in locating Williams and a second man, John Patrick Walker, 42, who was wanted on the same two charges in connection to Richardson's death. Walker was apprehended Dec. 19 in Garland County by SWAT team members.

Police have arrested five other suspects on various charges in connection with the death of Richardson. An autopsy determined Richardson died as the result of a gunshot entering his upper left buttocks and exiting his abdomen. There was also evidence of post-mortem injuries, including blunt force trauma to his head and a stab wound to his left thigh.

On Nov. 15, police arrested Steven Wood, 42, of Hot Springs, on a felony charge of first-degree murder. Stephanie Shell, 21, of Malvern, was arrested at the same time and charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, punishable by up to 20 years.

Melissa J. Wineland, 37, of Hot Springs, was arrested Oct. 24, Jake L. Norwood, 28, of Hot Springs, was arrested Nov. 5 and James Dean Keyser, 27, of Hot Springs, was arrested Nov. 24 and each charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison, for their alleged part in disposing of the body and covering up the crime.

According to previous affidavits, Richardson was killed or severely wounded at 106 N. Patterson St., Wineland's residence, and transported by car to the cemetery. The car was located and searched the day Richardson was found and reportedly had a large amount of blood in the back seat. Fresh blood was also found at the Patterson Street residence.

According to a witness, on the afternoon of Oct. 22, Richardson used a counterfeit $100 bill to pay Wood for meth, which Wood got from Williams. Later that same day, Williams allegedly arrived at the residence, angry at Wood for accepting the counterfeit bill, and told Wood to locate Richardson and "deal with it," and then left.

On Nov. 6, another witness came forward and alleged Williams and his son-in-law, identified as Walker, came to the Patterson Street residence around 3 a.m. armed with handguns and pistol whipped Richardson, knocking him to the floor.

Woods allegedly joined in the attack, hitting Richardson until he got back to his feet and tried to flee out the rear door in the kitchen. At that point, Williams allegedly raised his gun and shot in Richardson's direction.

Williams and Walker were reportedly the only ones in the kitchen with Richardson at the time, and continued to beat him before a second shot was fired. The witness said Richardson was face down on the floor, yelling he had been shot as Williams and Walker exited the kitchen.

Williams allegedly began cleaning blood off his hands and the gun, then told witnesses, "y'all better clean this mess up," as he and Walker left the scene.

Local on 12/31/2017

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