Boaz to Seek Death Penalty in McCord Murder Case

The Commonwealth's Attorney for McCracken County plans to seek the death penalty in the trial of Kelvin Richardson, the man accused of killing a local special education teacher.

Dan Boaz filed a notice of aggravating circumstances with McCracken Circuit Court on June 24, indicating that his office will seek a jury verdict of the death penalty or life without parole until at least 25 years of incarceration. 

He said that Richardson has, "a substantial history of serious assaultive criminal convictions," and that the alleged murder took place while a protective order was in effect. 

Richardson is accused of shooting 56-year-old Carrie D. McCord in the back yard of her Harrison Street home on May 12. He was caught by Paducah Police officers several blocks away after he reportedly fled the scene on a bicycle.

Richardson reportedly told police detectives McCord had tried to help him adjust to life outside of prison, but he apparently began causing problems for her in March, when she obtained an Interpersonal Protective Order to keep him away from her and her home.

Richardson told detectives he got a handgun and went to McCord’s home intending to kill her and three neighbors who apparently intervened in an earlier incident. He reportedly confronted McCord on her back porch, but when she refused to call the neighbors outside, he shot her and left the scene.

Richardson faces charges of first-degree murder, fleeing or evading police, possession of a handgun by a felon, and violation of a protective order. He had been released from prison and assigned to Keeton Correctional Center last February and was released to a home in on Hinkleville Road last May.

He completed his parole in August 2019. His criminal record includes multiple violent felonies.