Tucker Richard is pictured entering Chautauqua County Court Monday morning. The Ellicott resident is accused of shooting and killing his stepfather in January, 2023. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

MAYVILLE – The trial of an Ellicott man who is accused of shooting and killing his stepfather is underway.

Monday was the first day for the trial of Tucker Richard. On Jan. 6, 2023, Richard, who was 18 at the time, shot and killed 57-year-old Scott Blake, whom Richard lived with at 2256 Willard St. Ext. in the town of Ellicott, not far from the Jamestown city line.

During his opening statement, District Attorney Jason Schmidt alleged that Richard shot Blake in the head with a sawed-off shotgun at close range.

Schmidt told the jury made up of eight women and six men, two of which are alternates, that they will prove in the trial that Richard was intentional in his actions, intended to kill Blake and that it was not necessary.

Schmidt’s opening statement lasted for about 15 minutes.

After he spoke, Public Defender Nathan Barone gave his opening remarks which lasted for 25 minutes.

Barone did not argue that Richard was the person who shot and killed Blake. Instead, he insisted that his client’s actions were necessary for self defense.

“Tucker Richard chose not to be a victim. He chose to survive. He chose to live. He believed Scott Blake was going to kill him. Scott Blake did everything to demonstrate he was going to kill him,” Barone said.

According to Barone, the gun Richard used was owned by Blake and that when he shot and killed Blake, it was the first time he ever fired a gun.

Barone alleged that on that fateful night, Richard was sick with pneumonia when Blake kicked in his bedroom door and threatened to kill him, breaking a different shotgun over his head.

Richard fought back with a pocket knife, Barone said, injuring and further angering Blake.

According to Barone, the two went into another room with one of Blake’s guns lying around the residence. A fight ensued and Richard killed Blake.

“He did what he had to do in order to live. If he didn’t do what he did, he would be dead,” Barone said.

Following opening statements, Nicholas Caldwell, a dispatcher with the Sheriff’s Office, took the stand and described the process of how Richard called 911 and how he stayed on the phone with Caldwell until police arrived.

A recording of the 911 call was played for members of the jury, in which Richard is quoted as saying “My stepdad was acting extremely irate, waking me up out of a nap. I have pneumonia – he’s right there. He was (expletive) trying to shoot me,” he said.

After Caldwell, Lt. Samuel Piazza with the Jamestown Police Department took the stand.

Piazza was the first officer at the scene. When he approached Richard, he told him that he and his stepfather had been arguing.

Richard was waiting outside wearing pajama bottoms, a long sleeved shirt and was barefoot.

The officer detained Richard and said he was cooperative.

“At no time did he ask for medical services,” Piazza said.

Various pieces of evidence was admitted, including photographs, Richard’s clothing, three shotguns, a box of pieces of a gun, and a folding knife. Bodycam footage was also played for members of the jury.

Court is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning, with Piazza expected to remain in the stand.