The Crimes of Cedric Ricks
Warning, this case discusses the topics of abuse and crimes against children.
For this case, I watched an episode of Evil Lives Here. It’s season 10 episode 3, titled ‘Why Did I Let Him In?’ It was requested episode and case, so thank you to S Smith for requesting it!
As you know, I usually title the case as the murder of… but, for this episode, this man inflicted pain on many people. The episode of Evil Lives Here was narrated by his ex-wife, so we will be talking about her as well.
Young Love
Teshana Singleton, the narrator of this episode, first met Cedric Ricks when she was 15. They met at a Bible study, and both were attracted to one another.
Cedric was older, and ran with a tougher crowd. Teshana’s parents didn’t approve, and didn’t want her to get involved with him. She agreed, and ended up taking another boy from church to prom. When Cedric found out, he was angry, and basically told her that she was his.
Teshana was shocked by his anger, and she told him that she didn’t want to see him anymore. Teshana did move on after graduation. She moved in with her dad, and met someone new. She even got pregnant, and eventually had a daughter.
Even though Teshana was moving on, Cedric wasn’t. He somehow found out where she was living, and contacted her. Teshana finally gave in, but realized that Cedric was only interested in sex. Cedric refused to leave Teshana alone, even though she was engaged and had a baby.
Teshana in the Evil Lives Here episode
The Red Flags
Teshana’s fiancé enlisted in the Navy, and was given orders in Japan. She said she couldn’t see herself living there, and they went their separate ways. She reconnected with Cedric, and they moved in together.
Teshana recalled a time when a woman called the house while Cedric was at work. She asked the woman who she was, and only found out after asking several times. She then confronted Cedric, and told him that she was going to her mom’s house. Cedric choked her until she blacked out. When she came to, Cedric was apologizing and begging her not to go.
Teshana stayed, and accepted Cedric’s marriage proposal. Teshana said for awhile, Cedric had a softer side, and she could see that he was trying to change. However, that didn’t last long. She recalled several more incidents where he either raped her, put his hands on her, or threatened her with a knife.
The Breaking Point
In September 2001, Cedric was helping one of the children with some homework. He began yelling when they didn’t do it the way he wanted. Teshana gave Cedric her opinion on how he could help. This sent Cedric into a rage. He held Teshana down, and began stabbing the floor with a knife.
Teshana took the kids, and went to live with her mom. She filed for divorce, and filed for a protection order. Every time Teshana had to go to court, she brought her father. The protection order was granted, but this didn’t stop Cedric.
Cedric constantly harassed Teshana. The exchanges for their son had to moved to the police station. One day, Cedric choked Teshana in the parking lot of the police station, and she was sent to the hospital. Cedric wasn’t allowed to see their son for two years, and he finally stopped contacting her altogether.
The Murders of Roxann Sanchez and Anthony Reyes Figueroa
On May 1, 2013, Teshana received a call from her sister. She asked if she and the kids were okay. Teshana said yes, and was confused about the phone call.
She then learned of why her sister had called her.
Roxann Sanchez was a 30 year old nursing assistant from Bedford, Texas. She had three sons, 12 year old Marcus, and 8 year old Anthony, from a previous marriage. Her 8 month old infant Isaiah was from her relationship with Cedric.
At 8:45pm, Marcus called 911. In this heartbreaking 911 call, Marcus says that his mom’s boyfriend had attacked them. Marcus begs for the first responders to hurry.
When they arrived, they found a horrific scene. Roxann had been stabbed in the neck, and had several other injuries due to her fighting her attacker. Anthony had been stabbed about 40 times. Marcus had been stabbed as well, but survived. He had made the same noise as his dying brother, so that Cedric would believe he was dead. The only one uninjured was baby Isaiah.
Cedric Ricks was eventually arrested. He had packed a bag and fled in Roxann’s car. His cousin had also contacted the police.
Roxann Sanchez
Anthony and Roxann
The Conviction
Cedric Ricks was charged with capital murder.
At Cedric’s trial, several women, including Teshana testified. Teshana said she wanted to be the voice for Roxann and Anthony.
On May 16, 2014, Cedric was convicted of capital murder, and later sentenced to death. He is on death row in West Livingston, Texas.
Cedric Ricks
FINAL THOUGHTS
Teshana is a brave woman for having the courage to speak about what she has been through. She blames herself though, and she has absolutely no reason to do that. She tried to leave several times, but Cedric kept wearing her down.
I wish Teshana all the best. She is happily married, and deserves to be loved, respected and taken care of.
Cedric is a massive piece of shit, probably one of the worst I’ve written about. He not only took a woman’s life, but took the life of an innocent child. He also injured and scarred (literally and figuratively) another child for life. I feel like giving him the death penalty is giving him the easy way out, but Cedric did refuse the deal which would’ve given him life in prison. I hope he’s having a miserable ass time in his prison cell.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/roxann-sanchez-murder-where-is-cedric-ricks-now/
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-teshana-singleton-now/
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article3857346.html
