SANTA ANA - Jason Russell Richardson was found guilty today of special circumstances murder for shooting and killing a Tustin Home Depot Manager. Jason Russell Richardson, 39, Oceanside, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of robbery and burglary, and the sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death were found true. The Orange County District Attorney is seeking the death penalty in this case. The penalty phase against Richardson is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 4, 2010
On the morning of Feb. 9, 2007, Richardson left his Oceanside home wearing a full-body painter's suit, sunglasses, dust mask, and gloves. At approximately 10:00 a.m., Richardson entered a Home Depot store in Tustin carrying a black bag with the intention of stealing money from the store. He wore a disguise to avoid being recognized while trying to blend in with customers who frequent the store. The defendant approached store employees and asked for the manager. Richardson approached the victim Thomas Egan, a store manager, pulled out a gun, and demanded all the cash kept in the store's safe. After Egan informed Richardson he did not have access to the safe, the defendant headed towards the store's front cash registers. Egan instructed nearby employees to call 9-1-1 and then followed Richardson to the front of the store. The defendant attempted to rob an employee at gunpoint and ignored Egan, who was trying to discourage him from harming or robbing anyone. Richardson shot the victim in the stomach. He stole approximately $500 and fled the scene.
The victim was transported to Western Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. He was pronounced dead approximately two hours later from massive internal bleeding caused by the gunshot wound. Egan, a retired U.S. Marine Sergeant, was a married father of 3-year-old twin girls.
During the investigation, the Tustin Police Department was able to link Richardson to the crime through DNA evidence he left at the scene. The defendant had previously submitted a DNA sample to the court on another case.
On Feb. 22, 2007, Richardson was arrested by police outside an Oceanside Parole Office.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Cameron Talley of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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