Rancho San Diego
An 81-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in state prison for molesting six East County girls after an emotional hearing that ended with most of the victims’ parents expressing anger.
About a dozen parents and relatives of the girls watched as John Richardson of Rancho San Diego was sentenced Wednesday by San Diego Municipal Judge Terry Knoepp, who also fined him $5,000.
The white-haired defendant in blue jail clothing made a spontaneous comment in court that angered the parents of the girls, who were between 7 and 9 years old.
Deputy Dist. Atty. John Williams told the judge that Richardson claimed the girls initiated the molestation with him.
Richardson then blurted out: “Which is the truth!”
The prosecutor asked for a 14-year term.
Afterward, most of the parents said they were outraged at the sentence, the remark and lack of remorse.
“It’s a slap on the wrist,” said one father. “He’ll be out in three years!” said another.
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