‘I was afraid of the truth’: Youth pastor who stabbed family as son asked ‘Dad why do you have the knife?’ is headed to prison

Matthew Richards sentencing

Matthew Richards addresses the court during his sentencing hearing on March 26, 2025, in Johnson County, Kansas (Law&Crime).

A youth pastor in Kansas will spend nearly three decades behind bars for stabbing his wife and kids because the family was going to be evicted from their home due to his piling debt.

District Judge Jason B. Billam sentenced 42-year-old Matthew Lee Richards on Wednesday to 188 months in prison for one count of attempted first-degree murder and another 165 months for a second count of second-degree murder. The sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 353 months behind bars which works out to 29 years and five months. Richards will receive credit for the 558 days already served.

Richards expressed emotion throughout the hearing, wiping away tears into his black and white jail garb. His mother and sister spoke on his behalf.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Mommy, help me’: Mother watched son’s ‘life slowly leave his body’ after he was allegedly stabbed by his pregnant girlfriend

“My little boy yesterday, my friend today, my friend forever,” his mother said as her son sat with his lawyer choking back tears. “Never forget that I am so proud of you and I love you more than anything in this world.”

His sister said she was speaking for herself and her brother’s wife who was present for the hearing but did not address the court. She said it was a unique case.

“This is not one where a bad guy did a bad thing,” she said, fighting back tears herself. “He’s a good guy that did a bad thing. There are consequences to this and no one is denying this situation. Nobody. We all know there’s consequences.”

But she argued that her brother’s kids should not be without their father for so long.

“He’s a wonderful man who helped everyone that he could,” she said. “He just didn’t know how to help himself.”

Her brother had an untreated mental illness that is now being addressed, she said.

Richards was most emotional when he stood and addressed the court.

“My actions have brought disgrace, shame, humiliation and sorrow on myself, my family, kids and classrooms, soccer fields, trusted friends and my community,” he said, his voice cracking throughout his statement. “This came from the shame that kept me from reviewing my faults and sins because I was afraid of the truth. I was afraid to ask for help. The shame and fear led me down a path that brought out not only disgrace but also violence into the lives of my family.”

He went on to say his “lies became my seeds and I buried them and they grew into a giant crop of consequences.”

“Not just for myself but for everyone around me as well,” he said.

Richards looked toward his family and apologized to them and asked for their forgiveness.

“While I do offer a short apology today, the most important words one day, hopefully soon, should be shared and will be shared in private moments when they are ready,” he said, pausing as he tried to gather himself.

Billam acknowledged the emotion of the case but said he was sticking with the agreed-upon plea and recommended sentence. Richards was originally charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Last month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office said.

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