Jury selection to begin in trial for man accused of murdering ex-wife

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Jury selection is scheduled to begin Friday for the trial of a man accused of kidnapping and murdering his ex-wife.

Richard Ford is facing charges of capital murder by terror threat in connection to the killing of his ex-wife Melissa Banda, according to county records.

Ford, who is also facing charges of assault, stalking and violating a protective order, allegedly killed Banda on Aug. 6, 2020.

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 following day, Ford was arrested near Beach Access 5 on South Padre Island. That same night, authorities located Banda's body in a rural area of Hidalgo County.

An autopsy determined that she died from a laceration to her neck caused by a sharp object. The indictment accuses Ford of cutting Banda with a knife, as well as impeding her breath by blocking her nose and mouth and sending her threatening messages and excessive phone calls.

In October 2023, ValleyCentral reported that Banda's family filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of McAllen. The lawsuit, filed by Banda's sister, accuses McAllen PD of failing to respond to numerous complaints she made in reference to Ford violating restraining orders.

“[Melissa Banda] repeatedly called the McAllen Police Department to report criminal acts of her ex-husband, Richard Ford, Jr., with whom they had three children together,” the lawsuit states. “McAllen Police Department did almost nothing to protect her.”