MAYVILLE, N.Y. – Jury selection is set to begin today for an Ellicott man charged with the murder of his stepfather, escalating a case that has previously been overshadowed by legal postponements. Tucker Richard, 19, faces a second-degree murder charge following the fatal shooting of 57-year-old Scott Blake at their shared residence on the outskirts of Jamestown.
The incident, which took place on January 6, 2023, reportedly stemmed from a familial dispute that spiraled out of control. Authorities indicated that previous altercations between the two were frequent, culminating in a deadly confrontation over a messy bedroom.
During a preliminary hearing, Detective Kevin Pierce of the Ellicott Police Department shared details from his interview with Richard. Pierce testified that the altercation escalated after Blake kicked in Richard’s bedroom door and struck him with an unloaded sawed-off shotgun. According to the detective, Richard claimed the weapon disassembled during the scuffle, and as Blake sought another shotgun, the situation turned fatal.
Richard allegedly wrestled the second gun away and, believing Blake would retrieve yet another weapon, fired instinctively, striking Blake in the head. It was Richard who dialed 911 immediately following the tragic turn of events.
The proceedings have faced multiple delays, originally slated for March; the trial was postponed after defense attorneys cited a late-arriving lab report. A second delay occurred in August when defense claimed that essential case material was provided belatedly by the prosecution.
Legal representatives from both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a closely watched trial. Nathan Barone, the public defender, is representing Richard. The prosecution, led by Schmidt, argues that past disruptions have only delayed justice for the victim.
This trial reshuffle occurred after an unrelated case involving Hadi Matar, accused in the Stabbing of novelist Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution, was put on hold by an appellate judge last week. The courtroom attention has shifted back to the Richard case, advancing its schedule unexpectedly.
The community watches closely as the jury selection begins, marking the start of a pivotal legal battle in Mayville. Families and local residents expect this trial to bring closure to a case that has challenged the local law enforcement and legal systems due to its violent nature and complex family dynamics.