BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick sentenced Richard Lee Chambers Jr., 56, of Ghent to 255 to 855 years in prison. Chambers appeared virtually from Southern Regional Jail.
Chambers- who was discovered to have been sexually abusing a child, beginning when she was four years old- was arrested in Dec. of 2018 and charged in a 20-count indictment.
After a seven-day trial, Chambers was found guilty on all counts, which included six counts of first-degree sexual assault, six counts of incest, one count of first-degree sexual abuse and seven counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person of trust. The verdict of guilty was delivered on August 3, 2021.
Following the verdict, Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Hatfield explained that due to the violent nature of the crime and the age distinctions between the victim and Chambers, some of his charges would carry enhanced penalties. Chambers was also ineligible for any alternative sentencing.
Prior to sentencing, Chief Public Defender Stacey Fragile asked the court to consider running her client’s sentences concurrently- at the same time- rather than consecutively- one after another.
“Should he get out of prison one day, he will still be very old and under lifetime supervision,” Fragile stated, adding that Chambers has already been in jail for more than 1,000 days.
Fragile said that, while Chambers accepts the jury’s verdict, he continues to maintain his innocence.
“When I answered the indictments, I told you that Jesus Christ as my witness I pled not guilty,” Chambers said to Judge Kirkpatrick. “35 months and 14 days from the time I was arrested that still stands the same. The good Lord Jesus Christ knowns and He knows in that little child’s heart that I’ve not done what I’m accused of…He is the only true judge that I will ever stand in front of.”
While the victim in the case handwrote a letter to be read during sentencing, the letter was barred from being shared as it was delivered to the defense after the sentencing’s scheduled time of 9 a.m.
Instead, Hatfield broke down the potential sentencing, stating that if the indictments are run consecutively, Chambers would be looking at 255 to 855 years.
“I believe that Richard Lee Chambers deserves not less than one day shy of that sentence…he is the worst of the worst…I think he’s the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Judge Kirkpatrick, who said that Chambers had not accepted responsibility for the crimes of which he had been convicted, sentenced Chambers to the maximum number of years, with the indictments to run consecutively.
“It is the court’s responsibility to impose a sentence that is commiserate of the nature and scope of the heinous acts committed by this defendant.”
Chambers will receive credit for the 1,081 he has already served and, if ever released, must register as a sex offender for life and be subject to 25 years of post-release intensive probation supervision.
Following the sentencing, Hatfield said he believes the judge’s decision sends a powerful message to those participating in this kind of crime that it will no longer be tolerated.
As for the victim, when asked, he said he wishes her nothing but the best as she puts this behind her.
“That she continues to flourish…she will undoubtedly struggle with this, but she has an incredible support system and I think that is going to be the key to any recovery.”
