THUNDER BAY — A man guilty of manslaughter in the death of Adrian Richardson said he "made the worst mistake" of his life.
“There is nothing I can say to make things better but I am sorry and it’s something I’ll regret for the rest of my life,” said Telique Ricketts during his sentencing hearing on Thursday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse.
Ricketts, 25, was one of four people charged in connection with Richardson’s death on May 2, 2022. Two others — Jacob Green and Aiden Collander — also pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The third accused, Henok Banjaw, appeared in court on April 17. The details of that hearing are subject to a publication ban.
A jury trial had started on April 22 for Ricketts on the charge of second-degree murder. But the trial ended after just a week with Ricketts pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Richardson called 911 around 11:30 p.m. on May 2, 2022, stating people were trying to break into his Hodder Avenue residence.
He told the 911 operator he believed they had guns and there was nowhere to hide in the apartment.
When police arrived, Richardson was on the floor in the main living area of the apartment surrounded by blood.
He had been shot once in the head.
Green and Collander both testified against Ricketts saying he had the gun and that he pulled the trigger and shot Richardson during a robbery. Ricketts’ lawyer argued that Green and Collander made up the story, conspiring to frame Ricketts.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the Crown asked for a sentence of 12 years in jail for Ricketts, stating he was the one who pulled the trigger and that this was a home invasion driven by greed.
The four individuals had a clear plan to rob Richardson and Ricketts was armed with a loaded gun. They also did not attempt to get help once Richardson had been shot and fled the scene.
The defence asked the judge to consider a sentence of 10 years, stating Ricketts’ young age and that he has the support of family to help him rehabilitate successfully once released from custody.
The court also heard several victim impact statements from Richardson’s family members, including his two siblings and his mother.
“I have no articulation that can truly capture the depth of my pain and the emptiness I feel,” said Richardson’s mother. “He was one of my greatest loves and will always be.”
Addressing Ricketts, she said her son had a vision for his life, a future he was determined to create.
“But that future is gone,” she said. “You came planned and prepared with a loaded gun and shattered his future. You are responsible for the death of a young man with so much more to give.”
When given the chance to address the court, Ricketts said this is not something he planned or wanted to happen.
“I made the worst mistake of my life by taking the life of Mr. Richardson,” he said. “I am truly sorry and remorseful and for that I apologize. This is why I chose to plead guilty to the charge.”
The case has been adjourned to late June when a date for the judge to return with a decision on the sentence is expected to be set.
