The Murder of Kamisha Richards
For this case, I watched an episode of Frenemies: Loyalty Turned Lethal. It’s season 1 episode 1, titled ‘The Ultimate Betrayal.’
A 22-year-old woman is killed after a long time feud reached it’s breaking point.
Background
Kamisha Richards grew up in an intercity housing project in Brooklyn, New York. She became the first person in her family to graduate from college, and graduated from John Jay College in 2010.
Kamisha was described as outspoken, opinionated, but also very kind, and helpful. Kamisha’s family also described her as a bookworm, and that she worked hard for what she wanted.
Kamisha Richards
The Best of Friends
Kamisha, and her friend, 18-year-old Kayla Richards, had been friends for many years.
Kamisha became an older sister to Kayla, after Kayla’s mom passed away when she was young. Kamisha even fell in love with Kayla’s older brother, and soon she moved in with them.
Kayla was the opposite of Kamisha. She was very shy, and quiet. Kayla also didn’t like to go to school. She often skipped classes, and hung out with a not so great crowd.
In 2009, Kayla confided in Kamisha that she was pregnant at just 16 years old. Kamisha immediately helped Kayla, by taking her to doctors appointments, and even giving Kayla money for milk, diapers, etc.
Kamisha, and Kayla, during Kayla’s pregnancy
The Facebook Posts
In 2010, Kayla’s son Alex was born. Kamisha continued giving Kayla money. Kamisha also gave Kayla instructions on how to take care of Alex.
Kayla didn’t listen to Kamisha. She thought that she could parent anyway she wanted since she was the mother. Kayla also continued to ask for money.
Kamisha soon learned that not all the money was going towards items for the baby. Kamisha began to stand up for herself, and told Kayla that she wanted her to pay her back. Kayla refused, and began posting negative comments about Kamisha on Facebook.
Kamisha only retaliated. In one post, she wrote, “ you don’t do shit for no one.” She also wrote that she would be needing that $20 back. Kayla responded by saying, “I’m not the type to thug it out on Facebook, c u when you get home from work.” Kamisha wrote, “LMAO, girl bye, I’ll see you later, just bring the money.”
A few other posts from the Facebook feud
The Murder
On February 28, 2011, Kamisha returned home from work. Kayla was waiting for her, and had brought some friends over to see a fight.
Witnesses would later say that Kamisha poured a bottle of baby formula on the floor, and told Kayla that they were now even.
The fight escalated. Kamisha was bigger than Kayla, and it seemed like Kayla didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of her friends.
Kayla eventually grabbed a knife, and chased Kamisha into the back room. Kamisha was stabbed once, and the wound penetrated her heart. Kayla ran outside to a neighbor’s home.
Kamisha, still alive, staggered out of the back room. Witnesses said that she said “she stabbed me,” and “oh god.”
The Conviction
Witnesses called 911. Kamisha was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away.
The police found Kayla at her neighbor’s home. They had followed a trail of blood that was left. Kayla told the police that she had been acting in self defense, and that Kamisha had come at her with a pair of scissors.
Kayla Henriques was arrested, and charged with second degree murder.
Kayla eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
At sentencing, Kamisha’s mom Nicole Colter-Henry, said:
“There’s a special place in hell for her for what she did.”
Kayla being arrested
FINAL THOUGHTS
While both women had attacked each other online, I don’t think Kamisha had attacked Kayla at all in person. I believe Kayla wanted to impress her friends, and grabbed the knife, when she knew she was losing.
Kamisha had a bright future, and it was taken away because of a fight over $20. Kayla was clearly not responsible, or mature, in anyway. I hope her son is being raised by amazing people, and is doing well.
Sources
https://murderpedia.org/female.H/h/henriques-kayla.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/nyregion/02slay.html
https://newsone.com/2657088/kayla-henriques-kamisha-richards-facebook-murder/
https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/facebook-fight-stabbing-15-years-prison/
