5 key details about Richard Gaines' murder
The last episode of season 6 of I Am a Killer is the story of Kevin Saxon, who was convicted of murdering Richard Gaines. The show delves into the circumstances leading up to the crime, why it was committed, and how the law subsequently handled it. Interviews with Saxon, law enforcement, and people around the case reveal the intricacies and details surrounding the crime and its consequences.
I Am a Killer season 6 dropped on Netflix on January 8, 2025. Like other seasons, there will be strong, in-depth interviews and interesting storylines.
The series is produced by Transistor Films, with Ned Parker serving as an executive producer, and Sophie Waldron and Zoe Hines as series producers.
The key details about Richard Gaines' murder case
1) Who was Richard Gaines?
Richard Gaines was a drug dealer in New York City in the late 1990s. His involvement in the drug trade put him in direct competition with other dealers in the area, which created tensions and rivalries.
Gaines's activities contributed to the volatile environment of the city's underground drug scene during that period.
2) What happened to Richard Gaines?
On September 18, 2000, Kevin Saxon, a criminal record subject who was then on parole, ran into Richard Gaines. Saxon picked a fight with Gaines because tension between them had escalated.
He exited his vehicle and, in an attempt to intimidate Gaines, shot him twice. Saxon later claimed that his intention was only to scare and injure Gaines, not to kill him.
3) Investigation which led to arrest of Kevin Saxon
Following the shooting, Richard Gaines succumbed to his injuries. Saxon was not immediately apprehended for the murder.
On May 22, 2001, he was arrested on drug charges and authorities worked to build a case against him for Gaines's murder. Saxon denied intending to kill Gaines, maintaining that the shooting was accidental.
4) Trial and conviction of Kevin Saxon
Kevin Saxon was tried for the murder of Richard Gaines and other drug-related offenses. On June 11, 2002, he was convicted of second-degree murder.
The court sentenced him to 109 years in prison without parole.
5) Reflection and claims of intent
In later interviews, including one featured in the Netflix series I Am a Killer, Saxon reflected on his actions, expressing that he never intended to kill Gaines. He claimed that the shooting was meant to intimidate rather than end a life.
Despite these assertions, the legal system held him accountable for the fatal outcome of his actions.
Everything to know about Kevin Saxon
Kevin Saxon is a convicted former drug dealer whose criminalities in the late 1990s to early 2000s influenced New York City's underground drug scene.
As per the report of the New York State Unified Court, Saxon had previously been tied to illegal drug sales, which gave him a bad reputation for being a threat and causing fear in the neighborhood. By 2000, Saxon was already on parole but was still involved in criminal activities.
As reported by the New York Post, on September 18, 2000, Saxon was implicated in the murder of Richard Gaines, a rival drug dealer. Saxon claimed that the shooting was an impulsive act intended to intimidate Gaines rather than kill him. He fired twice at Gaines during an altercation, and Gaines was found fatally wounded.
The case brought attention as it highlighted the violent dynamics within the city's drug trade. Saxon was arrested on May 22, 2001, for other unrelated drug charges.
In June 2002, Saxon was convicted of second-degree murder and other drug-related offenses. Prosecutors portrayed Saxon as a dangerous individual whose actions posed a threat to his community.
He was subsequently sentenced to 109 years in prison without parole, meaning he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Watch I Am a Killer streaming on Netflix.
