The man who Howard police say is responsible for the shooting deaths of a convenience store clerk and a Columbia man has avoided conviction in at least five criminal cases, records show.
Police charged Charles David Richardson, 23, of Columbia, with first-degree murder in the deaths of Trae Davon Allen, 19, of Columbia, whose body police found Monday less than a mile away from where Alevtina Zhilina was killed. Zhillina, 40, of Columbia, who was killed in April during her shift at the 7-Eleven convenience store on the 5700 block of Columbia Road.
Tips and information from interviews with witnesses who were at a gathering Sunday evening at Richardson?s town house, where Allen?s body was later found, led police to link the killings, said Police Chief William McMahon.
According to charging documents, a resident told police they overheard Richardson say, “If the [expletive] would have just given me money, I wouldn?t have had to pop her … .”
Police are comparing the forensic evidence collected fromof each crime scene, McMahon said.
“We hope this brings a sense of relief,” he said of Richardson?s arrest.
Richardson, who was arrested without incident during a traffic stop on Route 40 in Ellicott City, was denied bail Wednesday in Howard County District Court, police said.
History of criminal charges lost
But his arrest also spotlighted a host of criminal charges that Richardson has waved off in the past, some in Howard County courts.
A sampling of court records showed:
? In July 2006, Howard police charged Richardson in the armed robbery of the same 7-Eleven where Zhilina was shot and killed in April. The charges, which included first-degree assault, theft and reckless endangerment, were later dropped because of insufficient evidence, said Howard County State?s Attorney Tim McCrone.
? In February 2007, he was charged in Howard with second-degree attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a man during a fight. McCrone said the victim refused to cooperate, leaving prosecutors no choice but to drop the charges, which also included first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
? In March 2003, Richardson was charged in Prince George?s District Court with the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and theft. Those charges were dropped the following month.
? In April 2003, he was charged in Hyattsville with theft in excess of $500. Prosecutors dropped the charges the following June.
? In October 2000, prosecutors in Upper Marlboro dropped first-degree assault and drug possession charges against Richardson.
McCrone said he could not comment on Richardson?s current charges.
In the death of Allen, Richardson also faces charges of second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and handgun violations.
He also is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, attempted robbery and handgun violations in Zhilina?s death.
Others arrested with Richardson
Howard police charged Kenneth Wayne Sledd, 19, of Columbia, and William Richardson, 22, Charles Richardson?s brother, of Landover.
Both were in the car with Charles Richardson at the time of the traffic stop when he was arrested and later charged with first-degree murder, according to police reports.
Sledd was charged with aiding and assisting Charles Richardson after the death of Trae Davon Allen, 19, of Columbia, by helping Richardson clean his clothing. A bleach-soaked shirt was found in the car during the traffic stop.
William Richardson was charged with possession of marijuana.
Assistant Managing Editor Therese Umerlik contributed to this report.
