SAN FRANCISCO—Richard Pouncey, of San Francisco, was convicted of first-degree murder for the murder of 47-year-old Richard Sprague.
Around midnight on February 19, 2012, Sprague left his wallet and phone at home while going out to buy a pack of cigarettes.
Around 2:40 a.m., a witness reported hearing cries for help, then seeing a figure straddling another person with their hands around their neck. The witness did not report the crime to authorities.
Pouncey was discovered to be in possession of Sprague’s ATM card that same day, which authorities discovered after detaining him for jaywalking on 16th and Mission Streets.
Authorities obtained Sprague’s bank records, finding several transactions after his death. Aiding in the conviction was the discovery of Pouncey’s DNA on the neck of the victim.
Pouncey will now serve a 26-year prison sentence.
