Opinion ID: 2637042
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Richards' testimony

Text: Richards was incarcerated at El Dorado with Staggs and Moncla. Richards was kept in the same cell house with Moncla in 1996. Richards testified at the evidentiary hearing that he worked in the infirmary when Robertson was recovering from surgery. According to Richards, he overheard a conversation between Robertson and another inmate. Robertson said he did not know how Dave (Moncla) got found guilty because Robertson was the only person that knew what type of weapon was used. Richards said Robertson used David's first name and last name. Richards testified that the Swinney murder was the topic of conversation for 6 or 7 days after Moncla was sent to the Lansing State Penitentiary. Richards acknowledged that he was acquainted with Moncla at the time he overheard the conversation, but he did not realize Moncla was incarcerated for a homicide. During cross-examination, Richards acknowledged that he never had a face-to-face conversation with Robertson.