Three Stab Wounds, One Nightmare: William Sylvester Richardson Gets Life Sentence for September 2024 Downtown Attack

*By The Kalamazoo Press*

A man who slit the throats of two strangers, stabbed a third, and punched a fourth in the face during one night of random violence in downtown Kalamazoo will now spend at least 35 years behind bars.

William Sylvester Richardson, 35, of Schoolcraft, received between 35 and 55 years in prison Monday after being convicted of three counts of assault with intent to murder for a brutal downtown stabbing spree in September 2024.

The Night Three Strangers Became Victims

Richardson attacked three people overnight on September 12, 2024, in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. Two of the victims required emergency surgery after being stabbed in the neck. The third victim, who was cut in the arm, suffered a fractured skull.

"He crept up behind me and proceeded to slit my throat from the chin to just above my temple, almost severing my ear in the process," one victim's statement read. "The amount of blood I lost was like something out of a horror scene."

Another victim, a woman visiting from North Carolina for work, was punched in the face during the same attack. All four individuals were injured and sent to the hospital.

Victims Address the Court

During Monday's sentencing, Richardson heard victim impact statements from two of those he attacked. One victim, Ms. Jackson, who asked that her first name not be used, looked her attacker directly in the eye.

"I am the woman you stabbed in the head, do you know me?" Jackson asked.

When Richardson responded with "No ma'am," Jackson continued.

"I'm a Christian woman, so I forgive you," she said. "I'm actually very sad for you, seeing you here today. You ruined your life. You ruined our lives. ... This was phenomenally wrong."

Richardson's response was simple: "I know."

A History of Violence

Richardson has a long history of criminal behavior that prosecutors say makes him a "lost cause." He has six prior felony convictions, repeated probation violations, and a documented history of escalating violence.

Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Benjamin Norg described Richardson as someone who presents an unacceptable risk to the community.

"Frankly I've never seen someone who is more at risk or a danger to our society than Mr. Richardson," Norg said. "I'm sure this story has made people fearful of coming to our community."

The victims, Norg emphasized, were all just innocent people walking down the street, minding their own business.

"Mr. Richardson tried to kill me with zero cause," Norg said, reading a letter from a second victim, Ms. Burke, who also wished to remain anonymous. "It took months for me to recover, not only physically but mentally."

Burke's letter described how she was grabbed from behind after Richardson had followed her and her two friends for two blocks without their knowledge.

"I remember lying there thinking I was going to die," Burke's letter stated. "Mr. Richardson tried to kill me with zero cause."

Burke received an emergency blood transfusion, internal and external stitches, and had an artery surgically fused. She was out of work for a month, and her youngest child couldn't look at her without crying beyond that.

Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Richardson's defense attorney, Mark Beougher, an assistant public defender, told the court that his client has struggled for years with mental illness and substance abuse.

"We knew he was having mental health issues. We knew that he needed help. We were working through that," Beougher said. "If there was a process, or an easier process, or a place for him to go, he would have gone and none of this would have happened."

Instead of treatment, Beougher said his client self-medicated with methamphetamine before the stabbing spree.

"He then stabbed three people, none of whom he knew," Beougher said.

Richardson opted to plead no contest to the three counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of aggravated assault. His attorney said this decision was made so as not to put the victims through a trial.

"I understand the victims' feelings here and whether they believe it or not, Mr. Richardson understands them as well," Beougher said. "It's truly a tragedy. He's extremely thankful that nobody died."

Judge's Statement

Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Christine Morse watched surveillance video of the attacks before issuing her sentence. She expressed how struck she was by how innocent each victim was.

"This is a case that makes the community live in fear, that makes them not feel comfortable going downtown," Morse said. "It impairs people's sense of safety in our community ... let alone what happened to the victims themselves."

Community Impact

The prosecutor emphasized that this was not an isolated incident in Richardson's life.

"The defendant has six prior felony convictions, repeated probation violations and a history of escalating violence," Norg said. "To put it simply, Mr. Richardson is a lost cause. I don't believe there's any amount of rehabilitative efforts that can be given to him, either in the prison system or in our society that can outweigh the risk and safety to members of our community if he ever walks the streets again."

Beougher, during his allocution, told the court that his client had never shied away from responsibility.

"We knew he was having mental health issues. We knew that he needed help. We were working through that," Beougher said.

Sentencing Details

Richardson was sentenced to between 35 and 55 years in prison on the three counts of assault with intent to murder. He had already pleaded no contest to an additional count of aggravated assault for punching the fourth victim.

The court proceedings took place Monday, March 23, 2026, at Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. Richardson, who was born in 1990 and lives in Schoolcraft, is now serving his sentence.

Ongoing Impact on Victims

Both Burke and Jackson expressed how deeply affected they remain by the attacks. Burke's letter to the court detailed the physical and emotional toll the attack has taken on her life.

"I remember lying there thinking I was going to die," Burke's letter read.

The injuries Burke sustained required extensive medical treatment and recovery time. She continues to deal with the lasting effects of her attacker's violence.

A Community That Lives in Fear

Judge Morse made it clear that the attacks have had a profound impact on downtown Kalamazoo.

"It impairs people's sense of safety in our community," she said.

The case has sent a chilling message to residents who frequent the downtown area. The random nature of the attacks, the fact that Richardson struck people who meant him no harm, has made people question their safety in their own community.

What Happens Next

Richardson will now serve his sentence in Michigan's prison system. The exact facility will be determined by the Department of Corrections based on security level and available beds.

Both victims plan to continue seeking justice and support as they heal from their traumatic experiences.

Sources

  • https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/03/he-stabbed-3-people-in-downtown-kalamazoo-in-1-night-he-will-now-spend-35-years-in-prison.html