Public Defender Intern Recalled As Positive Example for Youths

Lecky said Richardson worked with a Georgetown University paralegal program and had taken courses at the University of the District of Columbia in preparation for applying to law school.

Co-workers said Richardson was serious about his work, and Pinckney said he particularly cared about inner-city youths, for whom he wanted to be a positive example.

She also said people in the public defender's office were amazed by Richardson's cooking skills. A friend said Richardson held large Sunday brunches at a friend's restaurant in Adams Morgan, where he would prepare dozens of dishes and invite friends and strangers to dine for free.

"Friends, family and even outside people that walked past -- it was definitely open to the public," said Tarik Cranston, 28, who said a crowd favorite was Richardson's jerk salmon.

Cranston said Richardson served as a powerful voice to friends.

"He might chastise us for not going to class. . . . You might not want to listen to the hour-long talk, but you knew it was for your benefit," Cranston said. "He was invested in his future, but he was equally as invested in our future."

Staff writer Henri E. Cauvin and researcher Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report.