Suspects in 2006 Murder and Armed Robbery Arrested

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Thursday that his department has arrested two people it alleged pulled off a violent armed robbery and then just months later killed a man during a 2006 home invasion.

Arrested were Christopher Trice, 23, on charges for murder, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, and burglary, and Tomasina Miller 23, who faces identical charges, Lott said.

The break in the six-year-old cold case came about largely through information from tipsters, the sheriff noted.  Lott said that on November 12, 2006 deputies responded to a medical call at 7648 Garners Ferry Road, where they found that the front door had been forced open and the lifeless body of Joseph Richardson, who had been shot in the chest.

Further, Lott said that based on information the department received, the pair are alleged to have also been involved in an armed robbery at a Dollar General store at 4045 West Beltline Blvd. the previous August.

The male victim of the robbery stated he was assaulted by both suspects, identified as Trice and Miller, Lott said. According to the victim, one of the suspects put a knife to his head, choked him, and pulled him to the back of the store. The suspects demanded money and threatened to kill the victim.

A female victim alleged she was punched in the upper body and held on the ground by the other suspect who demanded that she open the safe. The female victim complied, she alleged, then the suspects stole money and the stores security system and fled the business on foot. 

Both Trice and Miller remain in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Trice has been denied bond, and Miller waived her right to a bond hearing, Lott said.