Congresswoman Maxine Waters Requests FBI Investigation in disappearance of Mitrice Richardson

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) sent the following letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller last week, requesting an investigation into the disappearance of Mitrice Richardson. Ms. Richardson is a constituent of Congresswoman Waters who has been missing since September. The text of the letter is below:

December 16, 2009

The Honorable Robert S. Mueller
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Mueller:

As the Congresswoman for California’s 35th District, I am extremely concerned about the wellbeing of Mitrice Richardson, a constituent who disappeared on September 17, 2009 following her arrest by the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Serving on the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, which is responsible for oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), I am also concerned about the failure of the FBI Los Angeles Regional Office to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mitrice’s disappearance.

Based on reports I have read, there are questions as to whether the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station acted properly in releasing this young woman during the predawn hours without money or transportation, all while she was suffering from what the Los Angeles Police Department’s doctors have concluded to be bipolar disorder.

Due to delays in the local authorities’ investigation, the family has launched an aggressive campaign to raise money and resources to personally investigate Mitrice’s disappearance. Constituents from across my district are calling for a federal investigation and have inundated my Los Angeles office with phone calls, letters, and faxes requesting my support in their efforts to find Mitrice.

Michael Richardson, Mitrice’s father, has sold off some of his personal assets in order to raise money towards his daughter’s recovery. It is understandable that a loving parent would take extreme steps to find his daughter. However, I believe that the FBI, with its trained and experienced personnel and abundance of resources, is better equipped than a private individual for such an investigation. In addition, the FBI has the responsibility to pursue cases implicating federal criminal or civil rights statutes. I believe the circumstances and facts of this case warrant the bureau’s involvement.

Therefore, it is with great urgency that I respectfully request that the FBI open an investigation into Mitrice’s disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her arrest, detention, and release from the custody of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Maxine Waters
Member of Congress

Mitrice Richardson Update: 90 Days Later—Now A Homicide Investigation

Mitrice Richardson Update: 90 Days Later—Now A Homicide Investigation

December 16, 2009 - From Jasmyne Cannick

http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=7954

Okay so last Friday I went with Michael Richardson, Mitrice’s father, to meet with Sheriff Lee Baca in Monterey Park at the Sheriff’s headquarters.

The meeting was…cordial considering this was the first time that Sheriff Baca had met with any member of the Richardson family regarding the disappearance of Mitrice. In the meeting besides myself and Mr. Richardson were Malibu Lost Hills station Captain Tom Martin.

I can’t say that much came out of the meeting. I mean let’s be realistic here, what is Sheriff Baca going to say except for I am sorry about the disappearance of your daughter?

What did come out of the meeting was the determination that the Sheriff’s Department would assign Mitrice’s disappearance to their homicide department. That’s a start, a late one but a start. It was also determined that another search would take place this week. Because of the rainstorm that just came through Southern California, it makes conditions very good to back out to Malibu and search for Mitrice.

When this is all said and done, Mitrice’s disappearance has shown us that there are some holes on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s policies that need to be filled. Namely, the conditions on which people are released after being booked. The policy can’t be one thing at one station and another elsewhere. The policy needs to be changed and it needs to be implemented throughout the Sheriff’s Department. In addition, the policy around jurisdiction needs to be changed as well. What kind of sense did it make to transfer jurisdiction of Mitrice’s disappearance to the LAPD because she lived in Watts, although she disappeared in Malibu? My point exactly. That needs to be changed and it will be once this is all said and done. According to Captain Martin, the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department doesn’t record from any of its video cameras. They are simply used as live cams. If this is true, that needs to be changed as well. What sense does it make to record telephone calls, but not the video of inmates being transferred in and out of the station, what goes on in the lobby of the station, the booking process of arrestees, etc? That just doesn’t seem right to me and if anybody out there knows something different, holla.

From the beginning, this entire situation was handled badly by both the people at Geoffrey’s Restaurant who called the police on her after she failed to pay her bill. Yes—Mitrice was acting strange according to eyewitness accounts, but it wasn’t until she failed to pay her almost $90 bill that they called the police on her and that is what she was arrested for. Well that and some personal use marijuana found in her car. Two offences that didn’t warrant her being arrested and her car being impounded. Had none of that happened, she wouldn’t have been released in the wee hours of the morning by the Sheriff’s to begin with.

Throughout the entire 90 days that Mitrice has been missing, my hats go off to the Richardson family for there perseverance regarding Mitrice. It’s not easy searching for a loved one and coming up against roadblocks at every corner. I am not even related to Mitrice, but can tell you that my frustration caused me to almost have a nervous breakdown—and that’s not an easy thing to do.

What I have learned over the past three months is that some things just don’t matter enough to some people.

I can count on one hand the number of Black elected officials that reached out regarding Mitrice’s disappearance to the Richardson family: Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Councilmembers Bernard Parks and Jan Perry, Carson Councilmember Mike Gipson, Assemblymember Steve Bradford, and Senator Curren Price.

The lack of response from Congressmember Maxine Water regarding helping to get a Federal investigation underway into Mitrice’s disappearance has left me without words. I expect that kind of behavior from other Congressional members in California, but not from her.

I mean even if she was unwilling or unable to do what the family was asking, a return phone call wouldn’t have hurt the situation or future support from the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s, Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement, or California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations. I’m just saying.

Short of Mitrice being seen across state lines, getting a Federal investigation initiated could only happen with the support of a Congressional member, preferably the Congressional Members who represents the missing person.

Given the fact that in Orange County, the Sheriff’s Department has managed to fine several missing persons, both dead and alive, the most recent being the body of missing 21-year-old college baseball player James Wernke, you have to question why Mitrice hasn’t been located…dead or alive. It’s a big WTF in my book. I mean the LAPD and the LASD have some of the smartest people in law enforcement working for them. I agree with the family that an outside agency, namely the FBI needs to get involved in this. It’s been three $%^$##@ months!!!

So that’s it. That’s the latest. Waiting on the search. Waiting on the homicide team to come up with something. Still waiting for Congresswoman Maxine Waters to return a phone call—if not to me at least to eh family. Waiting for any news relating to where Mitrice Richardson is.

Is this the part where I am supposed to say Merry Christmas? Bah humbug.

BOARD APPROVES SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS’ REQUEST TO EXTEND A $10,000 REWARD OFFER IN MITRICE RICHARDSON DISAPPEARANCE CASE

http://mayorsampressrelease.blogspot.com/


LOS ANGELES – Acting on a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Board of Supervisors today extended a $10,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Mitrice Richardson, the 24-year-old South Los Angeles woman who disappeared nearly three months ago after her release from the Sheriff’s Substation in Calabasas.

The action extends the reward the Board approved September 29 at the Supervisor’s request for information leading to Ms. Richardson’s whereabouts and the criminal prosecution of any person(s) involved in her disappearance.

A Cal State Fullerton graduate, Ms. Richardson was living with her great-grandmother in South Los Angeles. She mysteriously disappeared September 17 at approximately 1:25 a.m. – following her predawn release from the Calabasas Sheriff's substation – where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill.

Her vanishing prompted massive but unsuccessful ground and air searches by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department and trained volunteers.

“Every minute counts in our effort to safely reunite Ms. Richardson with her family,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said. He noted the current investigation is being conducted by the LAPD.

Richardson, who had no transportation, cell phone or purse when she left the station at about 1:25 a.m., was reportedly wearing jeans and a dark T-shirt. With the exception of a couple of probable sightings later that morning in the canyon, Richardson, a slender, 5-foot-5 African American woman, has not been heard from since.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas urges anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mitrice Richardson to contact LAPD Detectives Chuck Knolls or Steven Eguchi at (213) 486-6900.

Father Puts Cars Up for Sale to Raise Money to Find Missing Daughter

http://www.bringmitricehome.org/



December 13, 2009


Father Puts Cars Up for Sale to Raise Money to Find Missing Daughter

LOS ANGELES, CA - Michael Richardson, father of Mitrice Richardson has announced he’s selling his two custom designed cars in an effort to raise money to independently search for his daughter’s whereabouts. 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson, a Cal State Fullerton graduate, mysteriously disappeared following her September 17 predawn release from a sheriff’s substation near Malibu where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill and possession of personal use marijuana.

For sale is a 1966 fully restored pearl white classic Chevy Impala. He’s also put up for sale his 1999 customized Cadillac Escalade that includes a sound system, interior video system, and custom rims. Mr. Richardson, who recently dropped out of school to go back to working one full time job and one part time job seven days a week, says that during this economic recession, he’s had to creatively figure out ways to make ends meet. Concerned with finding his daughter before the Christmas holiday, he made a difficult decision to put his two cars up for sale to help cover the costs of finding his daughter.

“I worked very hard and saved my money over the years to buy these cars,” explains Mr. Richardson. “It was a hobby of mine to customize them both. But with Mitrice missing for almost three months and there being no news regarding her disappearance, I feel it’s time for my family to make some sacrifices in an effort to find her. Selling my cars is one way to bring in the money that we need to do so.”

Mr. Richardson, who works as Eligibility Manager managing state and Federal medical insurance at the Saban Free Clinic and as an Emergency Registration representative for the Whittier Presbyterian Inter-Community Hospital, says that even working two jobs is not enough in this economy to make it. And with added burden of trying to find his daughter, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to bring Mitrice home.

“People don’t understand that life doesn’t pause when your child is missing,” Mr. Richardson continues. “My wife and I are still expected to go to work everyday, smile, pay our bills, and still make time to search for Mitrice. It’s hard for working families who don’t have a child missing, so imagine what life is like for families who do.”

The cars have been posted on craigslist.com and Mr. Richardson is hoping to make enough money from the sales of both vehicles to aide in an independent search for his daughter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently elevated the search for Mitrice Richardson to a homicide investigation freeing up more county law enforcement resources in the search.

For more information on the sale of Mr. Richardson’s vehicles, please visit craigslist.com, keywords, Central L.A./Cars and trucks by owners. 1966 Chevy Impala | 1999 Cadillac Escalade

Federal probe sought in case of woman who disappeared outside Malibu sheriff's station

Federal probe sought in case of woman who disappeared outside Malibu sheriff's station
December 2, 2009 | 6:47 am

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/federal-probe-sought-in-case-woman-who-vanished-from-malibu-sheriff-station.html

The family of Mitrice Richardson, who went missing after her release from the Malibu sheriff's station in September, will call today for a federal investigation into her disappearance.

The request is the latest effort by the family to find Richardson, whose disappearance has garnered much attention, including segments on cable TV news shows and a cover story in People magazine.

The trail has gone cold since late October, when the family said there were sightings of Richardson in South Los Angeles.

By all accounts, the Cal State Fullerton graduate who was living in South L.A. was responsible, employed and working on a way to pay for graduate school. Detectives, family and friends believe her disappearance is probably related to a psychological problem that surfaced the night of Sept. 16 when Richardson went to Geoffrey's restaurant in Malibu, told people she was from Mars and began spouting gibberish.

Detectives interviewed a group of Geoffrey's diners she joined uninvited -- who described her as odd but entertaining -- and her colleagues at the Mercantile Freight office in Santa Fe Springs who last saw her at work the day of her arrest. LAPD Det. Steven Eguchi said they told him that she was "giddy, really giggly. Out of the ordinary."

Richardson's odd behavior -- as well as her failure to pay for a steak and a drink -- prompted restaurant staff members to call sheriff's deputies. Richardson was arrested, then released at 1:25 a.m., having no car, purse or cellphone.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department has since come under fire for not holding her for a psychological evaluation. The Los Angeles Police Department is handling the matter as a missing-person case, assigning it to the robbery-homicide division, which has greater resources.

-- Shelby Grad

Event: Family & Friends to Hold Rally for Mitrice Richardson on Saturday, November 28

Event: Family & Friends to Hold Rally for Mitrice Richardson on Saturday, November 28
BIKE RIDE AND RALLY IN SUPPORT OF FINDING MITRICE RICHARDSON

FROM: http://www.jasmynecannick.com

Over 100 Bikers to Ride 65 Miles from Marina Del Rey to Malibu and Back to South L.A. on the 72nd Day into the Disappearance of Mitrice Richardson
WHO:

Michael Richardson, father of Mitrice Richardson, over 100 bikers and two-dozen African-American motorcycle clubs, supporters, volunteers, friends, and family members of Mitrice Richardson, various community leaders and elected officials.
WHAT:

Bike Ride and Rally in Support of Finding Mitrice Richardson
WHEN:

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Rally – 11 a.m.
Ride – 12 p.m.
WHERE:

Rally – Bartels’ Harley-Davidson
4141 Lincoln Blvd. Marina Del Rey
Ride Route – Bikers will leave from Bartels’ Harley-Davidson via Lincoln Blvd. to Pacific Coast Highway and travel to Malibu Canyon Road. Bikers will then travel Hwy 101 to the I-110 Freeway to South Los Angeles. The entire route is 65 five miles.
MORE INFORMATION:

LOS ANGELES – Saturday, November 28, day 72 into the disappearance of Mitrice Richardson, who mysteriously disappeared following her September 17 predawn release from a sheriff’s substation near Malibu where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill, family, friends, and supporters of Mitrice Richardson will hold a rally in support of finding her. In addition, over 100 bikers from various South Los Angeles motorcycle clubs, will caravan to Malibu where Mitrice first went missing.

A Cal State Fullerton graduate who was living with her great-grandmother in South Los Angeles, Mitrice Richardson mysteriously disappeared following her September 17 predawn release from a sheriff’s substation near Malibu where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill.

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her safe return.

www.bringmitricehome.org

Rally Regarding Policy & Procedure of Releasing Mitrice Richardson

On August 24th 2009 Mitrice & I were to attend a Motorcycle Class together at Fullerton Junior College. I was offered a new position and asked could she wait to the following week. She was so anxious and couldn't wait because she had received her income tax and was ready to buy her bike. I regret not being able to take the class with her, but know she would love this biker rally. If you are unable to attend, be there in Spirit, and Faith. Write about it, Talk About it, Blog, Tweet, Text and Broadcast about it! Just show your support as it provide me the Strength, and Courage I need to continue in her search
-Michael Richardson, Father

11 a.m.
Bike Ride and Rally for Mitrice Richardson
Bartels’ Harley-Davidson
4141 Lincoln Blvd.
Marina Del Rey

Over 100 bikers and two-dozen African-American motorcycle clubs, supporters, volunteers, friends, and family will will take off from Bartels’ to Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu Canyon Road to Hwy 101 to 110 Freeway to South Los Angeles. The entire route is 65 five miles.

To get involved and volunteer at this event, please email mvrichardson@bringmitricehome.org

Download Flyer For Rally
http://www.bringmitricehome.org/Downloads.html

L.A. Times: A missing woman and the law’s lost compassion

From Jasmyne Cannick
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=7481


* November 23, 2009 | 51 Views |

L.A. Times: A missing woman and the law’s lost compassion

The disappearance of Mitrice Richardson after being released from a sheriff’s substation underscores the need for better procedures to ensure suspects’ safety.

November 23, 2009

Twenty-four-year-old Mitrice Richardson of South Los Angeles walked out of the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station in the wee hours of Sept. 17 and has been missing ever since. Sheriff Lee Baca insists that deputies followed procedures to the letter: Richardson, who was accused of refusing to pay her bill at a high-end Malibu restaurant and possessing a small amount of marijuana, insisted on leaving after being booked and released, despite invitations to spend the night in an empty cell or in the station’s lobby. Deputies at the station had declared her safe to go because she didn’t appear to be a threat to herself or anyone else. Nevertheless, the fact remains that she was 40 miles from home in the dead of night with no purse, cash or cellphone, no buses available for hours, and her car locked in a garage she couldn’t pay.

If that’s following procedures to the letter, something’s wrong with the procedures. Even if deputies acted as reasonably as Baca asserts, the implication is that the department’s responsibility to “safely” release people it takes into custody ends the moment they leave its property.

That’s certainly a pragmatic stance. As Baca’s report to the Board of Supervisors notes, deputies process 180,000 prisoners a year for release — that’s nearly 500 a day — and detaining someone for too long carries “tremendous liability.” Special steps are taken only for those “deemed to have medical or mental disabilities.” But as Richardson’s disappearance demonstrates, the department’s blithe lack of concern about people after they walk out the door may be creating new and unnecessary dangers.

The Orange County sheriff’s approach may not be a model for L.A. County, given the differences in size, but it’s still instructive. Rather than taking people to the closest station to be booked and released, Orange County deputies bring everyone to a jail with easy access to public transportation. And unlike their counterparts in L.A., they have health department workers on hand around the clock to look people over before release. That might have been useful in Malibu, considering reports that Richardson had sounded “crazy” and was acting erratically.

The Sheriff’s Department can’t be a taxi service, and the people it arrests have to be responsible for their own welfare once they’re released. Yet the department shouldn’t ignore the difficulties imposed on those it hauls off for booking. Policymakers should explore ways to ensure that people booked after hours with no way to get home, like Richardson, have options — for example, a shuttle to a public transportation hub or easy access to their car. In limited cases, such as when witnesses see signs of mental illness, it may even be wise to hold suspects until morning. A few extra hours of inconvenience is a reasonable trade-off for avoiding tragedy.

IN THE CASE OF MITRICE RICHARDSON: Black People: It's Time to Nut Up or Shut Up! (November 12, 2009)

Download Flyer and Distribute
http://tiny.cc/IrRz5

IN THE CASE OF MITRICE RICHARDSON: Black People: It's Time to Nut Up or Shut Up!
(November 12, 2009)


http://eurweb.com/story/eur57373.cfm


*On any other occasion, had the Los Angeles Police Department arrested and booked a young Black female and then let her go in the middle of the night without her purse, car, or cell phone, in the middle of nowhere never to be seen again-Black people would be screaming off with their heads.

We'd probably be ready to burn down police headquarters if the same law enforcement agency then took its sweet ass time in providing a police report-a police report that was clearly altered and amended-that would normally take 24 hours to secure and refused to provide video of the young Black female either entering or leaving the police station-only to tell the media 8 weeks later, that a tape doesn't exist.

So then can someone please tell me why the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department continues to get a pass for the mishandling and mistreatment of 24-year-old missing Mitrice Richardson?

The facts in the case are simple. On the evening of September 16 Mitrice Richardson was in Malibu at a restaurant. A call was made to the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's station that she was acting "crazy" and couldn't pay her bill. The sheriff's searched her car and found some marijuana for personal use and arrested her. She was allegedly released from the sheriff's station a little after midnight on September 17 without her car, purse, or cell phone never to be heard from again.

In the past 55 days since Mitrice was last seen, the family has repeatedly made attempts to secure any video proving that Mitrice actually left the sheriff's station. Because quite frankly, it's just the sheriff's word that Mitrice left the station and I've watched enough "Law & Order" to know that the first suspect is always the last person known to be with the victim. In this case, that would be the Malibu-Lost Hill's Sheriff's Department.

Now if I were Sheriff Lee Baca, agenda item number one would be clearing my deputies of any wrong doing. So if that meant furnishing the videotape of Mitrice entering and/or exiting the Malibu-Lost Hill's Sheriff's station, well then so be it. If the video in question didn't exist, what I wouldn't do is string along the family for weeks allowing them to think there was a video. And I certainly wouldn't let the news of there being no video appear in a small Malibu newspaper before telling the family. But that's exactly what the sheriff's did.

So here we are nearly two months later and there are more questions than answers as it relates to the disappearance of the Cal State Fullerton graduate who lived in Watts with her great-grandmother. And yet nothing from a community that normally looks for police brutality and mistreatment in the same way our Mayor looks for news cameras- on a daily basis 24/7.

There's been no outcry from the NAACP, SCLC, Urban League, or other community advocate organizations that we typically see and here from in the media when an injustice has been committed against African-Americans. And I find myself asking why?

I mean if there was ever a clear case of police misconduct all wrapped up with a bow on it just waiting to be exposed, the disappearance of Mitrice Richardson is it. This is a case that went from Mitrice being released because the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's station was overcrowded to her being released because there was no reason to hold her after it was proven that the jail was nowhere near being overcrowded.

I would hate to think that our collective silence has to do with the fact that Mitrice is a young Black female or that because she is a lesbian, her disappearance is somehow not important or related to Black people. This is a young lady who was doing everything right. A college graduate on her way to becoming a substitute teacher. A clean record. She is just 24-years-old. 24.

As the holiday season approaches the Richardson's carry the burden of keeping the torch lit in the search for Mitrice. A torch that is often dimmed when compared to other local and national news stories. Plainly put-the family needs the support of the collective community to call attention to this injustice.

Mitrice Richardson is our JC Dugard. Similar to the way in which California's parole officers failed JC Dugard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's failed Mitrice Richardson and are continuing to hamper efforts to find her and answer questions about her disappearance.

Mitrice could have been your daughter, sister, aunt, mother, or friend. If the sheriff's did this to Mitrice, imagine who else they've done this too and will do it too unless policies are changed and attention is called to Mitrice Richardson's disappearance.

History has shown that when we collectively ban together as Black people to call attention to an issue, we all win. This is one of those situations that is going to require all of us to do our part. Whether it's downloading and passing out flyers at your job, participating in local search efforts for Mitrice, or calling out the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, now is the time.

We can't afford to solely focus on the LAPD while overlooking the atrocities committed by the sheriff's department on Black people. In other words, Black people, it's time to nut up or shut up.

www.bringmitricehome.org.

How to Nut Up

- Visit www.bringmitricehome.org and download flyers to put up at your job, nail shop, carwash, and anywhere else you think people will see it.

- Sign up to receive Twitter updates from the Richardson family directly on the situation.

- Join the Find Mitrice Facebook fan page.

- Add "For the latest information on Mitrice Richardson log onto www.bringmitricehome.org" to your email signature.

- Sign the petition calling for a Federal Investigation into the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's handling of Mitrice Richardson.

- Email the website to your address book and ask others to do steps 1-6.

Based in Los Angeles, at 32, Jasmyne A. Cannick among other things is a syndicated columnist who writes about the intersection of race, politics, and sexuality. She can be reached via her website: www.jasmynecannick.com.

Mitrice Richardson's Girlfriend to Ask LGBT Community for Help in Finding Mitrice - From Jasmynecannick.com


Mitrice Richardson’s Girlfriend to Ask LGBT Community for Help in Finding Mitrice

http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=7111



25 year-old Tessa Moon of San Francisco, the girlfriend of Mitrice Richardson, will make a plea to the Los Angeles area LGBT community on Monday, November 2, 2009 for help in finding her girlfriend of two years who recently went missing.

Members of the LGBT community are asked to attend a special community meeting Monday, November 2 at 6 p.m. in the community room of Jewels Catch One located at 4067 Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90019. Along with Tessa, Mitrice’s father and other family members and friends will be on hand with flyers and information on Mitrice’s last whereabouts.

A Cal State Fullerton graduate who was living with her great-grandmother in South Los Angeles, Mitrice Richardson mysteriously disappeared following her September 17 predawn release from a sheriff’s substation near Malibu where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill. In addition, to her studies and career, Mitrice was also one of the dancers at the Long Beach club Ripples.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her safe return.

WHAT:

Community meeting in support of finding Mitrice Richardson
WHO:

Tessa Moon, girlfriend of Mitrice Richardson, family, friends, community members
WHEN:

Monday, November 2, 2009
6 p.m.
WHERE:

Jewels Catch One
Community Room
4067 Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Rally and Biker Caravan in Support of Finding Mitrice Richardson

Rally and Biker Caravan in Support of Finding Mitrice Richardson

From ~ http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=7104

Sunday 11/1…Be There
Over 100 Bikers to Join Search for Missing 24-Year Old
Family to Demand Sheriff’s Release Video Tape of Mitrice Richardson
WHAT:

Rally and Biker Caravan in support of finding Mitrice Richardson, Family to Demand L.A. County Sheriff’s Department release video tape of Mitrice Richardson
WHO:

The family and friends of Mitrice Richardson, community members, over 100 bikers from various South Los Angeles motorcycle clubs
WHEN:

Sunday, November 1, 2009
11:30 a.m.
WHERE:

Intersection of 87th Street and Western Avenue in South Los Angeles (The location of this event has been changed from Malibu to the current location in South Los Angeles due to Malibu’s unwillingness to make allowances for the large groups of people expected to come out and support.)
MORE INFORMATION:

(LOS ANGELES, CA) –Sunday, November 1, the family, friends, and supporters of Mitrice Richardson will hold a rally demanding the release of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s video of Mitrice Richardson at the intersection of 87th Street and Western Avenue. In addition, with support from over 100 bikers from various South Los Angeles motorcycle clubs, the family will call on the public for help in finding Mitrice after claims from residents of South Los Angeles of seeing her over the past few nights. The reported sightings happened at Manchester Avenue and Denker Street, Manchester and Western avenues and Florence and Western avenues. After the rally and press conference, there will be a caravan to Malibu where Mitrice first went missing.

A Cal State Fullerton graduate who was living with her great-grandmother in South Los Angeles, Mitrice Richardson mysteriously disappeared following her September 17 predawn release from a sheriff’s substation near Malibu where she was booked for allegedly failing to pay a restaurant bill.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her safe return.


Phone: 641-715-3900 Extension 74090
Donations are accepted at: http://www.bringmitricehome.org
Please call for donations, sightings and additional information - Mr. Michael Richardson
641-715-3900 Extension 74090

Summary of Events In Mitrice Richardson's Disappearance

PLEASE Help US Find Mitrice Richardson

MITRICE RICHARDSON ~ Date of Birth ~ April 30, 1985
HEIGHT: 5’5
WEIGHT: 135lb
EYES: Hazel brown
HAIR: Medium brown (natural/curly)
TATTOOS: Lower abdomen, and behind neck
Last wearing: Brown Bob Marley T-shirt & Blue Jeans.



On September 16, 2009, at approximately 10:00pm, Mitrice Richardson was in the Malibu, California at Geoffry's restaurant, alone, where she was arrested for being under the influence, and for not having money in her possession to pay the tab. Mitrice sat at a table with indivduals whom she told that she was from Mars and spoke gibberish. The police were informed of this by the Geoffry's restaurant owner. (Please note that it was determined that she WAS NOT intoxicated.)


Before the arrest was made, Mitrice Richardson's family insisted they would pay the bill and had payment in hand in the form of a debit card, or credit card, whichever the manager, John, preferred. However payment was declined unless it was done via facsimile, which was not immediately available to Mitrice Richardson's family. Subsequently, her car was towed, and she was taken to the Lost Hills division of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, where she was originally booked for DUI. The charge has been changed to failure to pay tab. John, the manager of Geoffrey's stated she appeared under the influence when she arrived.

Mitrice Richardson was booked into custody sometime after 10:00pm, and then released shortly after 12:38AM. The officer in charge initially told her mother that she would be released at 4:30am. He later told her mother that she was released at 1:30am. (Please see inconsistencies in post below) The officers where aware Mitrice Richardson was not from the area. Deputy Cummings acknowledged that Mitrice Richardson left alone, walking up Agoura, but has recanted that statement. Mitrice Richardson had no money, food, water, identification or cell phone, wandering in a desolate area of canyons, coyotes and etc., foreign to her, while in a depressed state of mind. Mitrice Richardson is loved and supported by her family and friends. Mitrice Richardson is a crisis and is in danger. We must find her!

The Deputies were immediately made aware that this is not characteristic of Mitrice Richardson, and she is highly responsible, educated, employed, and is always in contact with family and friends.
Mitrice Richardson is a College Graduate from California State University of Fullerton, in Psychology, with a 4.00 GPA. She has recently taken, and successfully past the CBEST test to become a Substitute Teacher in the Los Angeles School District. Mitrice Richardson has been gainfully employed through her stint as a college student, to present. Mitrice Richardson is bi-lingual (Spanish). Mitrice Richardson has begun the process of acceptance into the Psychology Professional College, Alliant, to pursue her Doctoral Degree as a Clinical Psychologist. Mitrice Richardson has volunteered numerous hours at Hampton and Associates, as well as volunteering at non-profit organizations assisting children in disadvantaged areas in Orange County. Mitrice Richardson was 1st runner-up in the Miss Azusa Pageant, and a contestant in the Miss Fullerton Pageant. Mitrice Richardson is a trained and gifted dancer, in tap, jazz, lyrical, and with her focus and passion being ballet. Everyone who knows Mitrice Richardson, From Professor, Doctors, and Employers, to her family and friends, know her as a responsible and determined young lady, with many goals and aspirations. What has occurred within the last 48 hours in uncharacteristic of her.

Mitrice Richardson is a danger to herself, and Mitrice Richardson is in danger. Please, we need your help locating Mitrice Richardson.


Please contact Mr. Michael Richardson - Mitrice's Father

MVRichardson@bringmitricehome.org

Michael Richardson Contacted Mayor of Malibu, CA , Andy Stern, Regarding Missing Daughter

Mr. Richardson called Andy Stern, Mayor of Malibu On September 25, 2009 around 11:00 a.m.
When mayor Stern answered, Mr. Richardson asked, " is this Mr. Stern, he replied yes it is".
Mr. Richardson then asked, Andy Stern Mayor of Malibu, he again replied yes it is, who is this.
Mr. Richardson then began to introduce himself and was cut short after the mayor heard that he was speaking to Mitrice Richardson's father, the young lady who became missing after being released from the Lost Hills Sheriff Station.
In a very rude and annoyed tone, Mr. Stern stated
that he was sorry for Mr. Richardson's daughter and that he had nothing to do with that. He told Mr. Richardson in a very rude tone that he had one (1) minute to get his point across because he has a meeting to get to. As Mr. Richardson began to explain his concerns, he cut me off and said, "I told you I don't have anything to do with that, I do not tell the Sheriff's how to do their job, and he stated that Mr. Richardson needed to follow up with them. He then stated -If there isn't anything further he had to go because he was late for a meeting and before Mr. Richardson could reply he hung up on Mr. Richardson.

Mr. Richardson called Mr. Stern right back and stated I believe we were disconnected, he stated no, I told you there isn't anything I can do for you and please stop calling me, and hung up again." After staring at Mr. Stern's Coldwell Banker Realtor page, which is how Mr. Richardson was able to obtain his phone number, Mr. Richardson came up with an idea. He called Mr. Stern from a different number and informed him that he played professional football and was interested in the property located on, 31522 Broad Beach Road listed at $5,600,000.00 (Five Million - Six Hundred Thousand Dollars). Jokingly, he started the conversation off with negotiating the price, and would you know it, Mr. Stern showed him a more gentler side? Mr. Richardson could picture a smile just like the one below, however it was quickly removed when Mr. Richardson had to inform Mr. Stern that he thought that it was really down right heartless when the mayor could get excited abut a commission as opposed to finding his daughter. Mr. Stern then hung up on Mr. Richardson once more and did not bother to pick up again.

Strange thing though, the following Monday, September 28, 2009, Mr. Richardson received a call from Sgt. Jeff Price, of the Lost Hills Sheriff's station to relay the following: Mr. Richardson, Andy wanted me to call you to let you know that he's the Mayor and doesn't have anything to do with police work, but we are doing everything we can to find your daughter. " Mr. Richardson responded to Sgt. Price the following, tell Andy why not be a man and call me himself. Also, if Andy doesn't have any say so on what the Sheriff does then why are you on my phone telling me what Andy asked you to do?" There was a pause, and I stated, that's what I thought have a nice day and hung up.



The Facts Surrounding Mitrice Richardson's Disappearance


Written By Mr. Michael Richardson

Mitrice Richardson's Father

  1. 2 ½ Weeks To Obtain Police Report
  2. Submitting Altered & Late Addendums To Police Reports
  3. Andy Stark, Malibu Mayor Hung Up On Me, But Discussed Buying Property With Me
  4. Failure To Provide Phone Records & Video Tapes of Entering & Departing
  5. Recorded Conversations with Officers Altered, Erased, & Recording Numbers Missing
  6. Taking Credit for Follow Ups, Searches, & Sightings Conducted By Family & Friends
  7. Failure To Have Behavioral Assessment Conducted By Trained Professional
  8. 3 Male Officers Failed To Request Female Officer To Provide Search & Seizure
  9. Released With No Money, No Car, & No Cell Phone Into The Wilderness At 12:38 A.M.
  10. 12 Inconsistencies To Date With Sheriff’s Spokes Person Steve Whitmore
  11. Case Transferred To City 60 Miles Away from Malibu
  12. Released Due To Overcrowding, But Only One Inmate In The Holding Cell
  13. Released On Own Recognizance (O.R.) Which Was Not Ordered By A Judge
  14. Initial Charge Was Drunk Driving, Later Changed To Defrauding An Innkeeper
  15. Family Was Initially Informed By Jailer We Do Not Baby Sit

www.bringmitricehome.org

Mitrice Richardson’s Disappearance

$10,000 Reward - Letter From Mr. Michael Richardson - Mitrice Richardson's Father

~ $10,000.00 REWARD~

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we have not found my daughter as of yet, but great things are happening to get her home as soon as possible. The following events have occurred thus far: on the evening of 10/14/2009; I spent 3 hours on the phone with Chicago Detective, Lisa Campbell. Ms. Campbell appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday, 10/13/2009, where she was granted the opportunity of speaking about her amazing capture of Phillip Garrido. As you may know, this is the guy who kidnapped a young lady 18 years ago.

Ms. Campbell was great in pointing me in some very positive directions based on our conversation last evening. Prior to speaking with Ms. Campbell, I had a 2 1/2 hour telephone interview with Scotty Reid from "Black Talk Radio, based out of Gastonia, North Carolina. Prior to this meeting, I sent the above attachments regarding my rebuttal to the Los Angeles Times regarding their article printed last Thursday, 10/8/2009 along with the REAL FACTS REGARDING MITRICE RICHARDSON'S DISAPPEARANCE. Exposing the true facts. After conducting many interviews after Leo Terrell, on KABC Talk Radio, Mr. Reid enabled me to once again educate the mixed and the undecided audiences with recent information, causing the new website http://www.bringmitricehome.org to overload!

The new website was created to appeal to Mitrice in a way that her family, friends and concerned citizens can reach out to her based on our individual personal experiences and relationship with her. For example, when logging on to the website you will see a very tranquil scene of an ocean view because Mitrice loves the ocean. In addition, this website will allow you to speak and communicate directly with me, Michael L. Richardson, the Father of Mitrice.

This accessibility is provided to provide the facts and discuss any concerns, misquotes or misprints added to make for a good story. We are also advertising the $10,000.00 reward being for Mitrice Richardson's return.

Last but certainly not least, there is a soft button to click on for information regarding the needed resources to continue our efforts to find Mitrice, (e.g., flyers, posters, water, retainers, etc.). Unfortunately, now that we have exhausted all of our monetary resources, I now have to set aside my pride and seek monetary assistance to help with lodging, car rentals and other expenses for the selected Private Detective. The great news is that most have agreed to waive their service fees in lieu of covering their miscellaneous expenses mentioned above.

Thank you for the continued interest and support in helping us to BRING MITRICE HOME!!

Father of, Ms. Mitrice L. Richardson, B.A.