Jury finds Richard Ford guilty in capital murder of ex-wife

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A jury found Richard Ford guilty of murdering his ex-wife Melissa Banda, Wednesday, court records show.

Ford was found guilty on a charge of capital murder. His trial began last week. The state dismissed Ford's charges of assault, stalking and violating a protective order for killing Banda on Aug. 6, 2020.

Melissa Banda (McAllen Police Department) Richard Ford (Hidalgo County Jail records)

According to previous ValleyCentral reports, on Aug. 6, 2020, police responded to a home disturbance where they were notified that Ford forced Banda into his vehicle.

The next day Ford was arrested and his ex-wife's body was found in Hidalgo County. For the full story regarding Banda's cause of death, take a look at our previous coverage of this case.

On Nov. 8, 2021, the State announced it would not be seeking the death penalty for Ford.

In October 2023 Banda's family filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of McAllen, claiming that Banda called law enforcement multiple times leading up to the day of her death.

Ford's sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday in the 206th District Court.