Sixth woman claims exposure to HIV

Days after a Lawrence man was found guilty of exposing women to HIV, a sixth woman has come forward to allege he exposed her in February 2005.

The woman, age 32, claims she was exposed by Robert W. Richardson II between Feb. 12 and 13, 2005. The case initially was reported to Dist. Atty. Charles Branson’s office, which had asked women to come forward if they believed Richardson had exposed them.

Jurors last week found Richardson, 30, guilty of exposing three women to HIV by having unprotected sex with them and not telling them of his status. He was found not guilty of exposing a fourth woman. A fifth woman – who was involved in the recent trial as a witness but not a victim – has charges pending against Richardson in Johnson County, Mo.

Richardson also has cases pending against him in Emporia and Kansas City, Kan., involving some of the same women. He is in the Douglas County Jail and due to be sentenced Nov. 22 for his convictions here.