Local

Family of caregiver charged in murder says evidence isn't there

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a Newton County caregiver charged with murder is speaking out for the first time about the incident to Channel 2 Action News.

Cornelius Demetra Richardson has a preliminary hearing this week, and her family says the evidence to support this case is just not there.

Newton County sheriff's investigators arrested 44-year-old Richardson in early March. They accused the caregiver of killing Susan Walter with some sort of object. Walter had been under her care 24 hours a day, seven days a week for nearly two years.

Richardson's family says the two women were like sisters and that they would take family vacations together.

Richardson's family showed Channel 2's Liz Artz some of those vacation photos. Walter, 47, was mentally disabled and needed constant care. In court, the family heard evidence from a medical examiner and detectives. They told Artz it's just not enough to keep Richardson in jail without bond.

Richardson's niece said detectives don't have a murder weapon and don't have a motive. They also said the evidence was produced sloppily.

Artz spoke to Richardson's attorney over the phone, and he said, "The evidence that came out at the preliminary hearing was not overwhelming."

While the sheriff's office admits it is still waiting for more records and Walter's medical history, they're confident Walter died from blunt force trauma that could not have been caused by a fall.

Richardson's family maintains Walter was well-cared for.