Man sentenced for south Sacramento domestic violence killing of infant child’s mother

A Sacramento man with an extensive history of domestic violence was sentenced for murdering the mother of his infant son at her south Sacramento home, officials said.

Damion Horton, who was convicted in September, received a sentence of 76 years, four months to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Dajha Richards, his 19-year-old girlfriend, at her Orchard Wood Circle home, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Tranisha Boyd, a friend of Richards’ family, previously told The Sacramento Bee that Richards was trying to end the relationship before Horton shot her in the chest.

Richards was at her home Jan. 8, 2019, with her 12-year-old brother and 4-month-old son getting ready for her mom to pick her up. She called her mom when Horton showed up at the home unannounced, according to previous Bee reporting.

Richards’ brother called 911 after Horton shot her. Previous Bee reporting said that her brother carried her to the living room and tried to keep her awake, holding her baby in front of her so she could see him.

Prosecutors said Richards was able to tell Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies who arrived at the scene that her boyfriend was the person who shot her. Richards later died at a hospital.

The Sheriff’s Office launched an hours-long manhunt with SWAT teams and K-9 police, but Horton wasn’t arrested until he turned himself in a day after Richards’ death.

According to a DA’s news release, the gun used in the murder was never recovered.

This story was originally published March 19, 2022 at 11:38 AM.