Ralph, Richard

Born deaf; one of three children, the others hearing, of a British man who later divorced their mother and moved to the U.S. When the father planned to remarry, he invited his children from his first marriage to visit the U.S. to attend the wedding. The youngest, Richard, was deaf and had always been harassed and taunted by the oldest, Oliver, because of his deafness. On June 20, 1994, while they visited New Jersey, Oliver again picked on Richard, who stabbed his brother, without intent to kill, to stop his harassment. Oliver died from his injuries 4 days later. The trial was complicated by the need to bring a British Sign Language from Britain so Richard could properly understand the charges against him. He was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 7 years in prison, eligible for parole after 17 months.