'Justice': Ford sentenced to life for murder of ex-wife, family shares moment of embrace

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A convicted killer will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his ex-wife, Melissa Banda.

More than three years of waiting for justice, the Banda family is speaking out.

Melissa’s children were in the courtroom as their grandfather, Fidel Banda, stared down the man who promised to honor and love their mother.

Fidel Banda spoke from a broken heart and stared down the man that killed his daugher, Richard Ford.

Jurors deliberated for less than four hours, convicting Ford of the brutal kidnapping and murder of Melissa Banda on Aug. 6, 2020.

Those same jurors sentenced Ford to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

After nearly four years, Melissa’s sister, Cynthia, feels relieved.

“She left such an impact to the world and anybody that knew her,” Cynthia Banda said. “It feels good to finally get justice. I hope he [Ford] goes far, far away and never bothers us again.”

Melissa's loved ones sharing a moment of embrace outside the courtroom, knowing her light lives on through those she leaves behind.