A Harford County jury found Theodore Richards Jr., 40, guilty Jan. 14 of trying to rape and murder his ex-partner at her Edgewood home in June.

Richards, of Baltimore, will be sentenced April 2. He was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree rape, and first-degree assault, court records show. There was no verdict on a home invasion charge.

The Harford County Office of the Public Defender did not respond to a request for comment.

Police responded to a reported assault by the victim’s former partner in Edgewood around 11:18 p.m. June 26 — three days after ending her relationship with Richards, according to a news release from the Harford State’s Attorney’s Office.

Earlier in the day, Richards waited at her residence until she and her three minor children arrived. Out of caution for her children’s safety, she dropped them off at her mother’s house, according to the release.

When she returned home, Richards “ambushed her” from behind a bush and chased her around her car before grabbing her, according to the release.

When in the house, he restrained her on the couch, threatening forced sexual contact and death, the release said. He also grabbed her neck and attempted to gouge her eye out. Police observed physical injuries and damage in the living room that matched the description of the assault.

After the victim fought back with a key and an “associate of Richards,” who arrived at the residence, intervened, Richards left and police arrived, according to the release.

There had been an altercation several days before the end of the relationship, and Richards repeatedly called and texted the woman, according to the release. Richards allegedly used an alternate number after his was blocked, and he threatened to show up to her house.

Richards was charged June 27 and made his initial appearance that day, according to court records. His trial began Jan. 8 in front of Judge Paul W. Ishak.

“No person should ever live in fear of their partner or ex-partner, and a person’s home should be their safe harbor. Violating that safety and security is inexcusable. We will stop at nothing to hold domestic violence offenders, such as this Defendant, accountable, so they are never again free to put another person at risk,” Harford State’s Attorney Alison Healey wrote in a statement.

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