Disgraced Lawyer Richard Merritt Accused Of Murdering Mother, Trial Starts Monday

DECATUR, GA — A disgraced Decatur attorney accused of murdering his mother will face a jury next week, reported WSB-TV.

Richard Merritt, 48, has been charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, they reported. Investigators said he stabbed and beat his mother to death in 2019 before he was expected to turn himself in after pleading guilty to theft and elder abuse in Cobb County.

Merritt was originally convicted on theft and elder exploitation charges. He had pleaded guilty to taking money from clients, some elderly or filing medical malpractice claims, and using it to buy a Porsche or go on vacation, reported WSB.

After pleading guilty to theft and elder abuse, Merritt was scheduled to report to custody February 1, 2019, reported WXIA-TV, but he disappeared after allegedly removing his ankle monitor, going to his mother’s DeKalb County home and stabbing her to death.

In January of 2019, a Cobb County judge sentenced Merritt to 15 years in prison for stealing more than $454,706 from 17 different clients, reported WAGA-TV, but Merritt was given two weeks to get his affairs in order.

His mother cooked him his last family meal the day before he was scheduled to turn himself in, reported WAGA-TV. With plates still on the table and pots on the stove, investigators believe Merritt brutally murdered her and ran away.

He took on a whole new life, living and working as a bartender in Tennessee, reported WKRN. Merritt changed his look, had a fake ID and went by the alias Mick Malveaux, they reported.

Frank Lempka with the US Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force told the local station that Merritt was still driving his mother’s stolen Lexus SUV, which had a stolen tag on it. Investigators from the US Marshal’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force worked in conjunction with US Marshals in Nashville to arrest Merritt in October 2019.

Jury selection will begin Monday, May 23, at the DeKalb County courthouse.