Published to the Victor Valley Daily Press on July 12th, 2012
Phelan woman's body found in chicken coop Investigators seek clues in suspicious death July 12, 2012 2:31 PM ShareThis| Print Story | E-Mail Story By Gary Brodeur, Special to the Daily Press PHELAN •
Sheriff’s detectives seek clues from the public in the death investigation of a 64-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in a chicken coop behind her Phelan home.
When San Bernardino County Fire Department emergency crews arrived at the home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, they found Linda Concepcion not breathing and pronounced her dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
After arriving with other emergency responders, a deputy from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Phelan substation called homicide detectives to investigate, officials said.
“There were some suspicious circumstances found at the home, and we’re still investigating,” Detective William Doemner said.
Concepcion’s daughter, Georgina Richardson, said her mother hadn’t contacted her as usual Sunday afternoon and she began making calls and texting later that day from Alaska, where she resides.
Richardson said she found out Monday that her step-father, Sigfredo Concepcion, had been away for the day and arrived home late Sunday night to find her mother’s car parked in an unusual spot and her body inside a chicken coop used for storage.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, officials said.
The Sheriff’s Department asks anyone with information regarding this case to call detectives Doemner or A. Gibilterra at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.
The family is planning a memorial service for Linda Concepcion at 4 p.m. Sunday at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 9281 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan, Richardson said.
Sheriff’s detectives seek clues from the public in the death investigation of a 64-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in a chicken coop behind her Phelan home.
When San Bernardino County Fire Department emergency crews arrived at the home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, they found Linda Concepcion not breathing and pronounced her dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
After arriving with other emergency responders, a deputy from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Phelan substation called homicide detectives to investigate, officials said.
“There were some suspicious circumstances found at the home, and we’re still investigating,” Detective William Doemner said.
Concepcion’s daughter, Georgina Richardson, said her mother hadn’t contacted her as usual Sunday afternoon and she began making calls and texting later that day from Alaska, where she resides.
Richardson said she found out Monday that her step-father, Sigfredo Concepcion, had been away for the day and arrived home late Sunday night to find her mother’s car parked in an unusual spot and her body inside a chicken coop used for storage.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, officials said.
The Sheriff’s Department asks anyone with information regarding this case to call detectives Doemner or A. Gibilterra at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.
The family is planning a memorial service for Linda Concepcion at 4 p.m. Sunday at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 9281 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan, Richardson said.
Published to the Victor Valley Daily Press on July 14th, 2012
LINDA CONCEPCION On Sunday, Linda Concepcion was sent off to be with our heavenly Father. Born August 14th, 1947 in Minden Louisiana. A beautiful woman with a beautiful heart, who did not deserve to be taken from us so soon. She will be dearly missed by all of her family. She is survived by, 2 daughters, 5 Grand- children, 2 Great grandchildren, 2 sisters, 1 brother, her mother & many family and friends. There will be a memorial service held on Sunday July 15th, 2012 at the Cornerstone Baptist Church located at 9281 Sheep Creek Rd, Phelan, CA 92371 and will be held at 4pm. If you would like to contact the family you can contact her daughter who is currently in town from Alaska to handle arrangements. Call her daughter Georgina at 907-382-1170
PUBLISHED TO THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUN MARCH 23, 2015 ONLINE
Man, 73, arrested years after wife found dead in Phelan chicken coop
By: Beatriz Valenzuela ([email protected])
Monday, March 23, 2015 - 9:08 a.m.
PUBLISHED TO THE VICTORVALLEY DAILY PRESS ON MARCH 21ST, 2015
PHELAN >> After nearly three years, a man was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife and allegedly placing her body in a chicken coop behind their Phelan property.
Sigfredo Concepcion, 73, is behind bars charged with the shooting death of his wife, Linda Kay Concepcion, 64, on July 8, 2012, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's records and the criminal complaint.
The body of the 64-year-old mother and grandmother was found in the chicken coop at the couple's home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road, according to sheriff's reports. Sigfredo Concepcion reportedly shot his wife, according to the complaint.
He was arrested Friday evening at a home in the 10300 block of Evergreen Road in Pinion Hills, according to booking logs.
He is currently being held at West Valley Detention Center and is scheduled to be in Victorville Superior Court Tuesday morning, according to sheriff's reports.
PUBLISHED TO THE VICTORVALLEY DAILY PRESS ON APRIL 7TH, 2015
Man to stand trial for wife's murderWoman shot in back in July 2012, body found in chicken coop
VICTORVILLE — Though he once offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the killing of his estranged wife, a 73-year-old Pinon Hills man will now stand trial for her murder, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Sigfredo Concepcion has denied that he shot to death Linda Concepcion on July 8, 2012, and left her body in a chicken coop at the couple’s former Phelan home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road.
He was arrested March 20, nearly three years after Linda Concepcion’s death.
While the defense characterized the case as a "longshot," Deputy District Attorney David Foy called three San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials as witnesses in order to establish the framework of the alleged murder.
Foy pointed to DNA linking Sigfredo Concepcion to the firearm — his own — and gunshot residue found on articles of his clothing that were stuffed inside a plastic bag Concepcion was reportedly later seen throwing away. Foy said there was an alleged financial motive for the killing.
The couple of about 20 years were days away from completing divorce proceedings and trying to sell the home at the time of her death, according to court records and testimony heard Tuesday.
Foy also pushed to expose holes in Sigfredo Concepcion’s alibi, calling upon testimony to show that Concepcion could not be seen on surveillance video at the Bel-Air Swap Meet in Bloomington, where he claimed to have gone that day.
“He killed her, left, came home ... and claimed he found her in that position,” Foy said.
Yet public defender David Sanders questioned what he felt was a lack of hard evidence against his client.
“I’m trying to figure out exactly what we have here,” Sanders said, adding that Sigfredo Concepcion’s DNA on the handgun was a non-issue since it was his gun. “I know this is a circumstantial evidence case, but it seems like a real longshot.”
Sigfredo Concepcion had called authorities around midnight July 9, 2012 and said he returned home after being away for hours to find his wife dead in a chicken coop converted to living quarters.
Linda Concepcion had been shot once in the back — the bullet severing her spine and exiting her right breast, according to a coroner’s report referenced by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sgt. Angelo Gibilterra Jr.
The coroner ruled that she was dead within minutes.
A 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found by authorities five days later buried under clutter 11 to 12 feet away from where the victim was located, Gibilterra said.
Investigators had earlier come up empty searching for the weapon near Sigfredo Concepcion’s bed headboard, where he said he kept it and also swore he had never fired it, according to Gibilterra’s testimony.
Gibilterra testified that at least two of Linda Concepcion’s friends told sheriff’s officials that she had been looking forward to moving to Alaska to be with family post-divorce. One friend said Concepcion was afraid of her husband.
But Sigfredo Concepcion, whom authorities described as “cooperative” during the onset of the investigation, told sheriff’s Detective William Doemner that he and his wife planned to stay together despite the divorce. He said there were “no problems” in their relationship and the pending divorce was actually just a matter of practicality.
“He said together they made too much money for Linda to be qualified for low-income medical insurance,” Doemner said.
Sigfredo Concepcion is due back in court April 16, court records show. He was in custody Tuesday at West Valley Detention Center in lieu of $1 million bail.
Shea Johnson may be reached at 760-955-5368 or [email protected].
PUBLISHED TO THE VICTORVALLEY DAILY PRESS ON JANUARY 2, 2016
Chicken coop murder suspect's trial setPinon Hills man allegedly left wife's body in chicken coop after shooting her
VICTORVILLE — The trial of a Pinon Hills man arrested in March for allegedly shooting and killing his wife in 2012 will begin Jan. 11, court records show.
Sigfredo Concepcion, 74, has denied that he shot to death Linda Concepcion, 64, on July 8, 2012, and left her body in a chicken coop at the couple’s former Phelan home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road.
Sigfredo Concepcion called authorities around midnight July 9, 2012, and said he returned home after being away for hours to find his wife dead in a chicken coop.
Linda Concepcion had been shot once in the back — the bullet severing her spine and exiting her right breast, according to a previous Daily Press report.
The coroner ruled that she was dead within minutes.
The couple was days away from completing divorce proceedings at the time of her death, court records show.
In the month following Linda Concepcion’s death, Sigfredo Concepcion offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in the murder.
He previously told the Daily Press that he came home around 10:30 p.m. on July 8, 2012 and saw his wife's car parked in an unusual spot with nothing inside the car besides her purse and phone.
"I started getting goose bumps," he said during that 2012 interview. "I take the flashlight and start going towards the old chicken coop (used for storage). I don't see her. 'Linda! Linda!' I keep yelling, keep going in and she was laying on the ground. First I thought she had a heart attack. I didn't see any blood, no scars, no nothing. I combed her hair with my fingers. 'Linda, Linda, wake up.'"
But now he will stand trial and Linda Concepcion’s daughter, Georgina Richardson, told the Daily Press on Thursday she received a subpoena and will fly in from the east coast — where she resides — to participate in her her former stepfather’s trial.
“I’ll be going in (to testify) on the 13th (of January) for sure,” Richardson said.
When Sigfredo Concepcion was arrested in March — nearly three years after the murder — Richardson said she was “ecstatic,” according to a previous Daily Press report.
“This has been almost three years now,” she said at the time.
Sigfredo Concepcion has been in custody at West Valley Detention Center since his arrest in lieu of posting $1 million bail. He was appointed a public defender, David Sanders, to represent him.
During Concepcion’s preliminary hearing, Sanders questioned what he felt was a lack of hard evidence against his client.
“I’m trying to figure out exactly what we have here,” he said during preliminary proceedings, adding that Sigfredo Concepcion’s DNA on the handgun was a non-issue since it was his gun. “I know this is a circumstantial evidence case, but it seems like a real longshot.”
Sigfredo Concepcion’s trial is scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 11 in a Victorville courtroom, court records show.
Matthew Cabe
PUBLISHED TO THE VICTORVALLEY DAILY PRESS ON JANUARY 13TH, 2016
Chicken coop murder trial beginsSigfredo Concepcion allegedly killed his wife in 2012, left her body in chicken coop
VICTORVILLE — Georgina Richardson took the stand a second time Wednesday to testify in the trial of the man who allegedly shot and killed her mother in 2012, and her proximity to Sigfredo Concepcion proved, at times, too much for Richardson to bear.
Concepcion, 74, is being charged with murder for the July 8, 2012 shooting death of his wife, Linda Concepcion, whose body was left in a chicken coop of the couple's former Phelan home. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge, court records show, and has claimed he wasn't at the home when the murder occurred.
During her testimony, Richardson said her relationship with Sigfredo Concepcion — her former stepfather — was nonexistent because “he wouldn’t allow it.”
“For 7 1/2 years this man hated me,” Richardson said. “When I talked to my mom on the phone he’d be yelling at her. He’d be cussing at my mom saying, ‘What the (expletive) are you doing talking to her?’”
But following Linda Concepcion’s death, Richardson arrived at the Phelan residence two days later and said Sigfredo Concepcion treated her “like everything was hunky dory.”
“He was very friendly,” Richardson said.
Upon arrival at the home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road on July 10, 2012, according to Richardson, she walked into the chicken coop — converted to a storage space — where her mother's body had been found.
Richardson took pictures with her phone before she exited, according to her testimony.
“I walked back there,” she said in tears, “and I got down on my knees and I just started praying and talking to (Linda Concepcion) because I was still in disbelief.”
Prior to his arrest in March of last year, Sigfredo Concepcion cooperated with authorities throughout their investigation, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Detective William Doemner.
Doemner testified Monday — before a jury was selected — that Concepcion agreed to an investigation on his property and three separate interviews in July 2012; after each interview, Concepcion was free to leave, Doemner said.
And in the following month, Sigfredo Concepcion offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in the death of his wife, according to a previous Daily Press report.
During the cross examination of Doemner, defense attorney Dave Sanders asked questions that revealed investigators began focusing on Sigfredo Concepcion as a person of interest following those interviews, further evidence gathered from the scene and conversations with Richardson about her feelings toward Sigfredo Concepcion, Doemner confirmed.
Richardson also testified Wednesday that during her time with him in the days after Linda Concepcion’s death, Sigfredo Concepcion took three plastic bags of clothes from her uncle’s vehicle and placed them near the basement steps inside the home.
Richardson then went upstairs to take a shower where she said she observed Sigfredo Concepcion carrying those bags to a trash trailer on the side of the property opposite the chicken coop.
“There’s a window that faces the property and I saw him out that window,” she said. “He had (the) bags ... and threw them into the trash trailer.”
Later, after Sigfredo Concepcion had gone outside to feed his animals, Richardson essentially snuck out of the house to the trash trailer, removed the bags and took them back to the house.
When Deputy District Attorney David Foy asked Richardson if it was important that Sigfredo Concepcion didn’t see her removing the bags, she replied emphatically that it was.
“(I) set them by a basement window,” Richardson said, “came back around the house ... and pulled them through the basement window.”
She hid the bags in a bathroom on July 10, 2012, and later gave them to authorities.
Two items from those bags — a jacket and a pair of blue shorts — were tested last February for gunshot residue, according to testimony provided by Sheriff's Department Criminalist Jason McCauley on Monday.
In total, four items were tested, McCauley said, and the jacket and the shorts each contained a “single, unique gunshot particle.”
McCauley later testified that he could not draw conclusions as to when or how the gunshot residue particles ended up on the shirt and shorts, and said his department is always reluctant to test clothing because a conclusion with regard to time cannot be offered as a result.
“When it comes to conclusions from clothing, I don’t know the time frame,” McCauley said. “Hands is six hours. Clothing, there hasn’t been any established time frame ... Since I don’t have a time reference, I don’t put the conclusion because I don’t have that time frame ... The testing would never be able to tell me that. How they got to where they were subsequently picked up, I can’t tell you.”
In response to a question from Sanders, McCauley testified that he didn't know if the residue had been picked up somewhere else.
Sigfredo Concepcion was arrested March 20, nearly three years after Linda Concepcion’s death.
Foy pointed to DNA linking Sigfredo Concepcion to the firearm — his own — and the gunshot residue found on the shirt and shorts, according to a previous Daily Press report.
The couple of about 20 years were days away from completing divorce proceedings and trying to sell the home at the time of her death, according to court records and testimony heard in an April preliminary hearing.
Sanders, however, called the prosecution’s case a “long shot” during that hearing.
“I’m trying to figure out exactly what we have here,” Sanders said at the time, adding that Sigfredo Concepcion’s DNA on the handgun was a non-issue since it was his gun. “I know this is a circumstantial evidence case, but it seems like a real long shot.”
Concepcion’s trial will resume Thursday, court records show.
Matthew Cabe
PUBLISHED TO THE VICTORVALLEY DAILY PRESS ON JANUARY 20TH, 2016
Man guilty of killing wifeFormer stepdaughter says Sigfredo Concepcion 'got what he deserved'
VICTORVILLE — Less than three hours after deliberations began, a jury delivered a guilty verdict in the case against the Pinon Hills man on trial for murdering his wife and leaving her body in a chicken coop on the property of their former home, court records show.
Sigfredo Concepcion, 74, was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife Linda Concepcion on Wednesday, according to court records, as well as a special allegations weapons charge reported by his former stepdaughter Gina Richardson, who testified during the trial.
Sigfredo Concepcion was not present for the reading of the verdict due to a medical issue, and the defense waived his presence at that time.
Richardson told the Daily Press she doubts Sigfredo Concepcion had any medical issue at the time the verdict was read.
“He just didn’t want to be in there,” she said.
Sigfredo Concepcion’s conviction ends a 3½-year battle for justice, according to Richardson, who said video evidence helped lead to the guilty verdict.
“(The prosecution had) video evidence of (Sigfredo Concepcion) at San Manuel Casino (on July 8, 2012) throwing clothes away,” Richardson said. “I had never known about that evidence. (Linda) died between 12:15 (p.m.) and 1 (p.m.) … and he was at the casino an hour and a half after the time of death.”
Sigfredo Concepcion walked into the casino, entered an elevator, took off his shirt, threw it away and changed clothes from a bag he brought with him, according to Richardson’s recollection of the video evidence.
“He was in a bathroom for more than half an hour,” she added. “He talks to the bartender (in the casino). Sits down. Puts his hands on his head. He didn’t gamble. Didn’t drink. He sat there for six hours. So he was down there trying to form an alibi.”
Sigfredo Concepcion previously told the Daily Press he came home around 10:30 p.m. on July 8, 2012, and saw his wife's car parked in an unusual spot. No one was in the car, but Linda Concepcion's purse and phone were inside, he said.
"I started getting goose bumps," Sigfredo Concepcion said. "I take the flashlight and start going towards the old chicken coop (used for storage). I don't see her. 'Linda! Linda!' I keep yelling, keep going in and she was laying on the ground. First I thought she had a heart attack. I didn't see any blood, no scars, no nothing. I combed her hair with my fingers. 'Linda, Linda, wake up.'"
He said he called 911 and tried to conduct CPR but couldn't open her mouth.
San Bernardino County Fire Department emergency crews arrived at the home in the 4200 block of Cayucos Road, but Linda Concepcion, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the days following Linda Concepcion’s death, Sigfredo Concepcion tried valiantly to get his former stepdaughter to spend the night at the Phelan home, according to Richardson.
She refused the offer out of fear for her life.
“He kept pushing the issue of me spending the night,” Richardson said, “and I thought if this is the man that murdered your mother there’s no way I’m staying in this house with him. I told my uncle, ‘Don’t you dare leave me alone in this house.’”
Richardson testified during the trial that she also feared for her life after she witnessed Sigfredo Concepcion throw bags of clothes into a trash trailer that was situated on the side of the property opposite the chicken coop.
Later, after Sigfredo Concepcion had gone outside to feed his animals, Richardson snuck out of the house to the trash trailer, removed the bags and took them back to the house.
When Deputy District Attorney David Foy asked Richardson if it was important that Sigfredo Concepcion didn’t see her removing the bags, she replied emphatically that it was.
“(I) set them by a basement window,” Richardson said during the trial, “came back around the house ... and pulled them through the basement window.”
She hid the bags in a bathroom on July 10, 2012, and later gave them to authorities. Two items from those bags — a jacket and a pair of blue shorts — were tested last February for gunshot residue, according to testimony provided by Sheriff's Department Criminalist Jason McCauley.
In total, four items were tested, McCauley said, and the jacket and the shorts each contained a “single, unique gunshot particle.”
Sigfredo Concepcion was arrested in March, more than three years after he shot and killed Linda Concepcion.
His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 19, according to court records.
Richardson said Foy told her the minimum sentence Sigfredo Concepcion could receive is 50 years to life in prison.
When asked if that sentence would satisfy her, Richardson replied in the affirmative.
“Of course,” she said. “He’s 74. That would be life, anyway."
Jury deliberations began just after 4 p.m. Tuesday and recessed at 4:33 p.m. The jury reassembled at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and advised the court a verdict had been reached at 10:30 a.m., court records show.
Richardson said the rapidity of the jury’s deliberation surprised her; she planned to “camp out” and be the first one in the courtroom each day until her flight home to Florida on Thursday. The jury proved her camping out to be unnecessary, and she fought back tears as she described her feelings.
“I’ve been very emotional (since the verdict was read),” Richardson said. “Happy tears. I can’t explain the sense of relief that I feel ... I’ve got justice for my mom. I just wanted her to know I was never going to give up on her. There were a lot of sleepless nights. This wasn’t just for me. It's for all her family and friends. That's why I started the 'Justice for Linda Concepcion' Facebook page. It’s going to be nice to go on and know he got what he deserved.”
Matthew Cabe
Written: 01/26/16 in the Mountaineer Progress
Verdict 50 years to Life
By Al Morrissette
On January 20 after three hours of deliberation the trial of Sigfredo Concepcion went to the sentencing phase as the jury convicted him of the murder of his wife Linda on July 8, 2012. Though the sentencing will occur on February 19, the conviction carries a 25 years to life sentence and a special circumstance of using a gun to commit the murder an additional 25 years.
Known as the ‘Chicken Coop Murder’ because it took place at the family residence in Phelan and within the chicken coop that was used for storage, much of the District Attorney’s case was based upon the testimony of Daughter Georgina (Concepcion) Richardson and some video recording of the action of Sigfredo within hours after the murder.
“My mother can finally be at peace knowing her murderer, didn't get away with it”, said Richardson, adding, “ My heart can finally rest at ease, knowing that I will never have to look over my shoulder, cause he will technically be serving the rest of his life in prison, even if he got the minimum sentence of 50 years since he is already 75”, concluding, “I may sound like a terrible person to be happy that he is there, but until you endure what I did and walked a day in my shoes of the trials and heart ache of this investigation, you will never begin to understand the pain of losing a parent or any family member for that matter, to a cold blooded murder and it makes it tenfold worse, when you were raised, were very close, even with the horrible living circumstances and lived with the person who did it.”
During the 9 day trial Richardson spoke of her childhood as a family member and at a very young age being the primary source of income for the family as she was gleaned and polished into being a entertainer using puppets as props during some of her acts and learning to sing angelically in several languages. But she commented, “At age 10, he dislocated my jaw. At age 11, I went to school with a black eye and I told the teacher that it was Sigfredo, well unfortunately the child protective services wasn't as good as it is now. They sent a sheriff that had me speak right in front of Sigfredo and due to my fear of Sigfredo, I recanted my statement due to the evil looks Sigfredo was giving me. He pulled me out of school not too long after that (4th grade), he needed control and was more interested in the money I was making as an entertainer, than my education.
She also spoke of how her mother finally understood Sigfredo’s method of intimidation and control after a visit to Georgina at her home in Alaska. That clarity led to Linda’s divorcing her husband and during that transition secretly sending her personal items to her daughter. The murder took place just 3 day prior the finalization of the divorce and it seems that contributing factor of his loss of control and potential loss of money from the sale of the home and other family items drove him to develop his scheme.
Inconsistencies in his testimony and substantiated evidence from the murder weapon that was recovered at the crime scene and other location, plus the testimony from Richardson enabled the jury to come to their conclusion.
In her conclusion of this chapter in her life Georgina wanted to share, “I forgive him due to my faith in God, but I will never forget what he has done to the greatest piece of my heart, my mother. I hope this served to satisfy everyone's curiosity in the true and complete story of what happened and maybe this will serve to save the life of another mother, woman, man or child, who is in a terrible situation. Don't be scared to tell someone close to you, that something is wrong in your relationship, don't let anyone control who you want to be, there are plenty of resources including domestic violence shelters that are out there to help you and they don't charge you anything to go. Even if you have a child with the abuser they can still help.
Also remember, not all abuse is strictly physical abuse, there are those who also inflict mental and verbal abuse and I lived through all three. I am an example of a NEW LIFE, A BETTER LIFE. I just wish my mother had the same opportunity as I did, to live a great life with a person who truly and unconditionally loves me.”
Verdict 50 years to Life
By Al Morrissette
On January 20 after three hours of deliberation the trial of Sigfredo Concepcion went to the sentencing phase as the jury convicted him of the murder of his wife Linda on July 8, 2012. Though the sentencing will occur on February 19, the conviction carries a 25 years to life sentence and a special circumstance of using a gun to commit the murder an additional 25 years.
Known as the ‘Chicken Coop Murder’ because it took place at the family residence in Phelan and within the chicken coop that was used for storage, much of the District Attorney’s case was based upon the testimony of Daughter Georgina (Concepcion) Richardson and some video recording of the action of Sigfredo within hours after the murder.
“My mother can finally be at peace knowing her murderer, didn't get away with it”, said Richardson, adding, “ My heart can finally rest at ease, knowing that I will never have to look over my shoulder, cause he will technically be serving the rest of his life in prison, even if he got the minimum sentence of 50 years since he is already 75”, concluding, “I may sound like a terrible person to be happy that he is there, but until you endure what I did and walked a day in my shoes of the trials and heart ache of this investigation, you will never begin to understand the pain of losing a parent or any family member for that matter, to a cold blooded murder and it makes it tenfold worse, when you were raised, were very close, even with the horrible living circumstances and lived with the person who did it.”
During the 9 day trial Richardson spoke of her childhood as a family member and at a very young age being the primary source of income for the family as she was gleaned and polished into being a entertainer using puppets as props during some of her acts and learning to sing angelically in several languages. But she commented, “At age 10, he dislocated my jaw. At age 11, I went to school with a black eye and I told the teacher that it was Sigfredo, well unfortunately the child protective services wasn't as good as it is now. They sent a sheriff that had me speak right in front of Sigfredo and due to my fear of Sigfredo, I recanted my statement due to the evil looks Sigfredo was giving me. He pulled me out of school not too long after that (4th grade), he needed control and was more interested in the money I was making as an entertainer, than my education.
She also spoke of how her mother finally understood Sigfredo’s method of intimidation and control after a visit to Georgina at her home in Alaska. That clarity led to Linda’s divorcing her husband and during that transition secretly sending her personal items to her daughter. The murder took place just 3 day prior the finalization of the divorce and it seems that contributing factor of his loss of control and potential loss of money from the sale of the home and other family items drove him to develop his scheme.
Inconsistencies in his testimony and substantiated evidence from the murder weapon that was recovered at the crime scene and other location, plus the testimony from Richardson enabled the jury to come to their conclusion.
In her conclusion of this chapter in her life Georgina wanted to share, “I forgive him due to my faith in God, but I will never forget what he has done to the greatest piece of my heart, my mother. I hope this served to satisfy everyone's curiosity in the true and complete story of what happened and maybe this will serve to save the life of another mother, woman, man or child, who is in a terrible situation. Don't be scared to tell someone close to you, that something is wrong in your relationship, don't let anyone control who you want to be, there are plenty of resources including domestic violence shelters that are out there to help you and they don't charge you anything to go. Even if you have a child with the abuser they can still help.
Also remember, not all abuse is strictly physical abuse, there are those who also inflict mental and verbal abuse and I lived through all three. I am an example of a NEW LIFE, A BETTER LIFE. I just wish my mother had the same opportunity as I did, to live a great life with a person who truly and unconditionally loves me.”
Published to The Daily Press Februrary 19th, 2016
By Matthew Cabe
Staff Writer
Posted Feb. 19, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Updated Feb 19, 2016 at 4:17 PM
VICTORVILLE — The Pinon Hills manconvicted of first-degree murder for killing his estranged wife was sentenced Friday.Sigfredo Concepcion, who was not in court for the January guilty verdict, was present as Judge John Tomberlin sentenced him to 50 years to life in prison for shooting Linda Concepcion in 2012 and leaving her body in a chicken coop that had been converted to a storage space on the property of their former Phelan home.The defense will file an appeal, but Deputy District Attorney David Foy “doesn’t think it will go anywhere,” according to Linda Concepcion’s daughter Gina Richardson, who testified during Sigfredo Concepcion’s trial.Concepcion, 74, received 25 years to life for first-degree murder and another 25 years to life for a special weapons allegation related to the murder. Tomberlin addressed Concepcion before issuing the second term.“My belief is that is probably a life sentence,” he said, referencing Concepcion’s age.Gina Richardson addressed the court before her former stepfather’s sentence was read, and she spoke to the anguish she’s endured for 3½ years.“The heartache becomes even more when you are personally connected to the person who committed the murder,” she said, while looking directly at Concepcion. “The pain is unbearable in your heart and your mind as you continue to ask yourself, ‘Why?’ Why would anyone take the life of another, who has done you no harm? You are not just killing the intended person, but you are also killing those who actually loved her unconditionally.”But despite losing her mother, Richardson said her faith allowed her to accomplish what some might describe as unfathomable.“Because of my love and faith in God, I forgive him, but I will never forget what he has done,” she said. “What he has done is a domino effect to each and every person who loved her, myself included.”Richardson’s sister, Sherry Flamard — estranged from her mother for more than 20 years because of Linda Concepcion’s relationship with Sigfredo Concepcion — also addressed the court.Flamard, who reunited with her sister following their mother’s death, said she bore witness to Richardson overcoming “severe anxiety and fear for her safety” in the wake of Linda Concepcion’s murder.Richardson received a wellspring of support as the investigation into her mother’s death commenced and eventually led to a jury trial. In particular though, Richardson previously told the Daily Press she was "floored" by the graciousness of a now former stranger, Penny Adams, who helped guide Richardson through court process.In 2011, Adams’ daughter, Rhonda Desha McClain, 41, was found dead in the bathtub of her boyfriend’s Apple Valley home. Her death was ruled a drowning, but Adams fought for further investigation, and the boyfriend, Rafael Chavez, was arrested in 2014 in connection to McClain's death; Chavez was ordered to stand trial last October.Meanwhile, back in a Victorville courtroom Friday, Adams looked on as both Richardson and Flamard urged Tomberlin to deny Sigfredo Concepcion probation because, in the words of Flamard, “if he’s ever out, I fear for my sister’s safety.”Richardson and her husband moved their family several times prior to Concepcion’s arrest to ensure their safety; they purchased a house on the East Coast after his arrest last March.Before issuing the sentence, Tomberlin denied probation to Concepcion.Linda Concepcion, 64, died on July 8, 2012, and Sigfredo Concepcion cooperated with investigators leading up to his arrest. In August of 2012,he offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in the death of his wife.In the days following Linda Concepcion’s death, Sigfredo Concepcion tried valiantly to get his former stepdaughter to spend the night at his Phelan home, according to Richardson, who testified during the trial.She refused the offer out of fear for her life.“A big piece of myself also died along with her,” she said Friday in her address to the court. “There is a big void that can never be returned, never be filled by another. Those hours on the phone with my mother are no more. Those dozens of text notifications between us are no more. Those birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas and just because I love you cards are no longer in my mailbox. Those giggling faces of my children when grandma would call are gone and are instead tears and explanations of why grandma would not be coming to live with us … But most of all, what is gone, is my best friend, my bff, a person so dear to my heart who can never be replaced by anyone, my mother, Linda.”
By Matthew Cabe
Staff Writer
Posted Feb. 19, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Updated Feb 19, 2016 at 4:17 PM
VICTORVILLE — The Pinon Hills manconvicted of first-degree murder for killing his estranged wife was sentenced Friday.Sigfredo Concepcion, who was not in court for the January guilty verdict, was present as Judge John Tomberlin sentenced him to 50 years to life in prison for shooting Linda Concepcion in 2012 and leaving her body in a chicken coop that had been converted to a storage space on the property of their former Phelan home.The defense will file an appeal, but Deputy District Attorney David Foy “doesn’t think it will go anywhere,” according to Linda Concepcion’s daughter Gina Richardson, who testified during Sigfredo Concepcion’s trial.Concepcion, 74, received 25 years to life for first-degree murder and another 25 years to life for a special weapons allegation related to the murder. Tomberlin addressed Concepcion before issuing the second term.“My belief is that is probably a life sentence,” he said, referencing Concepcion’s age.Gina Richardson addressed the court before her former stepfather’s sentence was read, and she spoke to the anguish she’s endured for 3½ years.“The heartache becomes even more when you are personally connected to the person who committed the murder,” she said, while looking directly at Concepcion. “The pain is unbearable in your heart and your mind as you continue to ask yourself, ‘Why?’ Why would anyone take the life of another, who has done you no harm? You are not just killing the intended person, but you are also killing those who actually loved her unconditionally.”But despite losing her mother, Richardson said her faith allowed her to accomplish what some might describe as unfathomable.“Because of my love and faith in God, I forgive him, but I will never forget what he has done,” she said. “What he has done is a domino effect to each and every person who loved her, myself included.”Richardson’s sister, Sherry Flamard — estranged from her mother for more than 20 years because of Linda Concepcion’s relationship with Sigfredo Concepcion — also addressed the court.Flamard, who reunited with her sister following their mother’s death, said she bore witness to Richardson overcoming “severe anxiety and fear for her safety” in the wake of Linda Concepcion’s murder.Richardson received a wellspring of support as the investigation into her mother’s death commenced and eventually led to a jury trial. In particular though, Richardson previously told the Daily Press she was "floored" by the graciousness of a now former stranger, Penny Adams, who helped guide Richardson through court process.In 2011, Adams’ daughter, Rhonda Desha McClain, 41, was found dead in the bathtub of her boyfriend’s Apple Valley home. Her death was ruled a drowning, but Adams fought for further investigation, and the boyfriend, Rafael Chavez, was arrested in 2014 in connection to McClain's death; Chavez was ordered to stand trial last October.Meanwhile, back in a Victorville courtroom Friday, Adams looked on as both Richardson and Flamard urged Tomberlin to deny Sigfredo Concepcion probation because, in the words of Flamard, “if he’s ever out, I fear for my sister’s safety.”Richardson and her husband moved their family several times prior to Concepcion’s arrest to ensure their safety; they purchased a house on the East Coast after his arrest last March.Before issuing the sentence, Tomberlin denied probation to Concepcion.Linda Concepcion, 64, died on July 8, 2012, and Sigfredo Concepcion cooperated with investigators leading up to his arrest. In August of 2012,he offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in the death of his wife.In the days following Linda Concepcion’s death, Sigfredo Concepcion tried valiantly to get his former stepdaughter to spend the night at his Phelan home, according to Richardson, who testified during the trial.She refused the offer out of fear for her life.“A big piece of myself also died along with her,” she said Friday in her address to the court. “There is a big void that can never be returned, never be filled by another. Those hours on the phone with my mother are no more. Those dozens of text notifications between us are no more. Those birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas and just because I love you cards are no longer in my mailbox. Those giggling faces of my children when grandma would call are gone and are instead tears and explanations of why grandma would not be coming to live with us … But most of all, what is gone, is my best friend, my bff, a person so dear to my heart who can never be replaced by anyone, my mother, Linda.”