William O. Richardson
William O. Richardson (born June 9, 1955) is an American politician. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2015. A Democrat, he serves the 44th district. He also previously served in the House from 1993 to 1996. While serving in the General Assembly during the 1993 and 1995 session, his work included being lead sponsor in placing North Carolina as the 6th state to join the DNA Data Bank. He was also lead sponsor of Teen Court and one of Governor Jim Hunt’s (1977-1985, 1993-2001) key legislation in passing Smart  Start - Partnership for Children. Additionally, he was the lead sponsor of legislation establishing the State Veteran’s Nursing Home. When Richardson returned in 2015, he submitted legislation which would put North Carolina in the top five in the country in education by increasing teacher’s salaries, re-instituting the Fellows Program and establishing a Teacher-Mentor Program among other factors. He works tirelessly to advocate for clean water. He successfully fought to require the tracking and prompt testing of all sexual assault kits across the state. Richardson has been an active member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly , the North Carolina Trial Lawyers' Association) for more than 30 years and is largely recognized as highly skilled trial attorney. His trials include accomplishments in both civil and criminal law. His work in criminal law includes State v. Hennis and State v. Mark Thompson, wherein both cases demonstrate the need for competent Defendant. Spell v. City of Fayetteville which at the time clarified the law on 1983 Monell claims and was the standard for east of the Mississippi for 20 years. His civil trial work is highlighted in North Carolina Department of Transportation v. Bullard in which he achieved one  of the largest truck verdicts in North Carolina’s history. His civil rights work has been with members Mark Holt and John Edwards (Howard v. Collins & Aikman). Richardson has appeared in segments of 20/20, 48 Hours and CNN Death Row stories. His case of State of Mississippi v. Marlon Howell will air on CNN in March/April of this year. It will expose prosecutorial misconduct of Mississippi Attorney General and present gubernatorial candidate, Jim Hood. Richardson's work on defending Timothy Hennis in the Eastburn family murders case was featured in the CNN documentary series "Death Row Stories". Early life  and education. Richardson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977 and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law of Campbell University in 1980.