Defendant Convicted for 1st-Degree Murder of Girlfriend

DATE: September 13, 2021

CASE: Damion Horton (Case #19FE000631)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney Allison Dunham, Homicide Unit

Damion Horton was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Dajha Richards, discharging a firearm causing death and felon in possession of a firearm.

On January 8, 2019, a 12-year-old boy called 911 to report that his 19-year-old sister, Dajha Richards, had been shot in the chest. When sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene, the victim was able to report that the father of her child and boyfriend, Damion Horton, was the person who shot her. The victim was quickly transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.  Immediately after the shooting, Horton fled the scene with the gun leaving the victim alone with their 4-month-old son and her brother. Horton turned himself in more than 24 hours after the victim’s death, but the gun was never recovered.  During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Horton had an extensive history of domestic violence with the victim.

An allegation that Horton suffered a prior 2016 strike conviction for attempted robbery will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

Horton faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for January 14, 2022, in Department 10 before the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle.

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