Defendant Sentenced for Killing Unhoused Man

DATE: October 10, 2025

CASE: Richard Bradford (Case #23FE016354)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Hilary Davisson, Homicide Unit

On October 10, 2025, the Honorable Matthew Gary sentenced Richard Bradford to 76 years to life in prison. On August 5, 2025, Bradford was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder. The jury also found true the allegation that Bradford discharged a firearm causing death as well as the aggravating factor that he used a weapon. Bradford was also convicted of felon in possession of a firearm. The Court further found true that Bradford has two prior strike convictions and additional aggravating factors; that the defendant had served a prior prison term and that his prior convictions were numerous and of increasing seriousness.

On October 8, 2023, Bradford murdered Joshua Rash, who was living in an encampment. Bradford had gone to the encampment to take the victim's dog. The victim armed himself with a metal pole to prevent Bradford from taking his dog. Bradford then shot the victim in the chest and left him underneath a bridge on Gerber Road. When the victim's body was found, his dog was sitting by his side.