KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 54-year prison sentence a Jackson County, Missouri, judge slapped Joseph Gonsalez with Thursday for killing his ex-girlfriend was bittersweet for the victim's family.
Elizabeth "Liz" Richards was 19 years old when she left an abusive boyfriend with whom she had a 2-year-old son, Jay.
Gonsalez shot and killed Richards when she dropped off the couple’s son Jan. 6, 2018. He bound her hands with duct tape he purchased the day before then shot her in the head, according to court documents.
That makes it hard for the Richards family to feel completely satisfied.
"It was the best outcome we could've asked for," Liz's aunt, Alena Wille said. "It's not what we wanted intially; we wanted the life sentence, but you know it is what it is. Today, our family just went through emotions and prayed and prayed and prayed for consecutive (sentences). That was the biggest thing we prayed for today was that he got 54 years consecutive instead of concurrent."
The family felt like the judge seemed saddened and emotional about what Richards endured, so they feel ultimately justice was served. But it doesn't bring back a lost loved one.
"I wish it could've been more, but ... I think it's deserved," Liz's mom, Shayna Richards said of the sentence.
According to law enforcement, the three times a woman is most vulnerable in an abusive relationship are when she's about to leave, when she’s in the act of leaving, and when she has successfully left.
Liz's mom understands now this was a classic case of deadly domestic violence, but she believes her daughter would want to help others.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help," Shayna said of the advice she thinks Liz would give to other women in abusive relationships. "Don't be afraid to reach out to anybody, especially your family. your friends. It's important to get out when you can ... get out when you first are afraid. If you feel afraid, you need to get out then. Don't wait. You can't wait. Waiting is too late."
Shayna and Wille get together every Thursday night to watch their favorite TV shows, a tradition that used to include Liz.
Now, the family's focus is on Jay, and helping prepare him for life without his mother and with a father in prison for her murder.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there are resources available.
- Hope House, 816-461-4673
- Rose Brooks, 816-861-6100
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Hope Haven, 816-380-4663
