Rockwall County jury sentences man to life for murder, aggravated assault

ROCKWALL, TX (Feb. 14, 2024) On Monday, February 12, 2024, a Rockwall County jury convicted Dallas resident Keith Bernard Richmond, 36, for the offenses of Murder and Aggravated Assault.  Late yesterday afternoon, that same jury returned the maximum sentences of life in the penitentiary for each case.

Elected District Attorney Kenda Culpepper and First Assistant District Attorney Felicia Oliphant presented the State’s evidence during the week and a half long jury trial, during which jurors heard testimony concerning the Murder and Aggravated Assault of two North Texas women by Richmond.  On July 4, 2022, after spending the holiday boating on Lake Ray Hubbard and while actively driving back to Dallas, Richmond shot both of his vehicle’s passengers–seriously wounding his girlfriend, Hayley Plouck, and killing her sister, Hillary Plouck.   Shortly after the shooting, Richmond pulled off the I-30 freeway at the Dalrock exit in Rowlett and dragged Hillary’s lifeless body from the car.  Hayley managed to exit the vehicle, a gold Mercedes, and Richmond sped away from the scene.

Rowlett police officers and RFD paramedics were dispatched to multiple 911 calls and quickly began CPR on Hillary who had sustained three gunshot wounds including a fatal one to the chest.  She was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital.  Paramedics also administered life-saving aid to Hayley, who had been shot one time in the chest and was in shock.

Richmond drove five minutes to his mother’s apartment at the Lake Colony Apartments on Chaha Road near Bass Pro, where he was able to shower and change clothes.  While Richmond had time to dispose of key evidence, swift responses from both the Rowlett Police Department and the Garland Police Department led to the quick apprehension of Richmond, who was standing at the trunk of his still blood-soaked vehicle when he was spotted by Garland officers. Richmond led police on a foot chase before he was taken into custody.

After finding Richmond guilty of both offenses and in the punishment phase of the trial, the jury heard additional testimony including evidence of Richmond’s previous Murder conviction in 2008 out of Dallas County for which he had received a ten-year penitentiary sentence.  The State also introduced evidence of Richmond’s gang membership and his further promotion of drugs and gun-violence while performing as a rapper in the North Texas area.  The jury additionally heard evidence that Richmond was on bond out of Dallas County for a pending drug case at the time of the shooting and that he was directly involved in the crime of human trafficking.

ADA Felicia Oliphant stressed the excellent police work that resulted in Richmond’s apprehension and conviction.  “We are grateful to our first responders who work tirelessly to keep us safe,” she said.  “Thanks to their efforts, a dangerous criminal is off our streets.”

Rockwall County DA Kenda Culpepper added, “With their verdict, this Rockwall County jury has spoken for our community.  We do not hesitate to act when violent offenders come across our county lines and victimize others, and we are not afraid to seek and give the maximum sentence to those who commit crime.  Criminals, take notice.”

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