Life sentence for man who killed SLT teen
Richard Swanson was killed in 1980 in South Lake Tahoe. Photo/Provided
Andrew Sanford on Monday was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder of a South Lake Tahoe teenager.
Richard Swanson, 16, was killed in 1980 while working at was a Shell Station at the Y. He had been beaten, wrapped in duct tape and left to die in a back room.
El Dorado County Superior Court Judge James Wagoner on Feb. 23 denied Sanford’s request for a new trial and handed down the sentence.
Sanford, 53, was found guilty in April 2014.
Sanford, who was 19 at the time of the murder, had a small criminal record that included auto theft, and breaking and entering.
“As in this case, every family who has lost a loved one to violent crime finds that moment and their loss frozen in time. Nothing can bring their son Richard back, but it is my hope that Richard’s parents and family members may find some peace knowing that the person responsible for their son’s death has finally been held responsible for his actions,” District Attorney Vern Pierson said in a statement.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Say goodbye, Andy.
Sanford was 19-years old and a murderer–what a piece of excrement. Thank you Superior Court Judge James Wagoner.
More good work from the DA’s Office. He was free far too long and finally some justice for a good family who never gave up. The “lifers” should be given a lethal option to spare all their long bills and continued risk to prison staff.
“The “lifers” should be given a lethal option to spare all their long bills and continued risk to prison staff.”
Justice: I concur.
One terrible day that saddened the lives of so many people; family, friends and community. How many of us never locked our doors, or even knew where our house keys were before this heinous act? Justice was a long time coming but there are no winners here. One young man taken; another who is still accountable to his creator for the pain he caused. The DAs office and law enforcement should be commended for their hard work in bringing this to closure.
Thanks to all of the people behind the scenes who brought this case together. Detective Chuck Owens(retired) and his team of investigators put in countless hours bringing this case to the DA’s office for prosecution. The Da’s office investigators, the DDA’s and everyone else who brought this killer to justice. Hopefully the Swanson family can get some degree of closure with this conviction. RIP Richard,,,
We kill millions of our wonderful companion animals every year with a needle and a barbiturate.
This convicted murderer deserves at least as much.
Thanks to Vern Pierson, out district attorney and his staff for bringing justice to El Dorado County.
May Richard’s family have relief from the hideous grief that was inflicted upon them and may the healing of insufferable pain begin.
what does suffering animals have to do with this… take your propaganda elsewhere illegal bagal
I remember that day in August well, it rocked our community and only two months after one of the Couch twins died in a car accident on 15th st, the week of their HS graduation.
Small towns hurt for their kids together, and this story haunted us and I know some of the good people at SLT police dept for years.
Resolution can’t begin to mend the loss, but justice beats injustice any day.
Mom and Dad Swanson know we hurt for you all these years and still do.
Having played a somewhat significant roll in starting the SECRET WITNESS program because of this crime I say TOO LITTLE TOO LATE BUT GREAT. Had son who as a cop also worked this case at the time
Wow , and now I wonder what ever happened to the person who killed Janella Glover in 1978 and the Anderson Girl in 1979 Breaks my heart even today as me and my girlfriends all went to school with them from middle school to high school , things changed in SLT those summers in the 70’s , crazy people coming from all over and doing horrible things to our girls…
“what says” go back to pulling wings off butterflies as your preferred recreation.
Finally, now Richard can finally rest. Peace to his family too. Finally.
Yeah, what “What” said!
Bravo to the “long arm of the law” and to the men and women who make it happen. May it always be there with us.
Jim