June 14, 2008 (Page 16A)

By Kristen M. Daum

Staff Writer

Richard Dean Brasier kept his head bowed and his eyes focused on the floor Friday as an Oklahoma County judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a 2006 murder.

Brasier, 26, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty in November to first-degree murder for his role in killing Bernard George Hoffman, of Del City, nearly two years ago.

Hoffman hired Brasier and his girlfriend Carrmela M. Rodriguez to perform odd jobs in his yard Oct. 28, 2006. The couple beat and strangled Hoffman to death, stole from his home and then fled in his car.

Hoffman routinely offered food and odd jobs to the homeless, and he was often burglarized by the same people he helped, his daughter Carrie Krapff said.

"(Brasier) took advantage of his generosity and kindness, in order to rob and kill,” Krapff told the court before the sentence was handed down. "Suddenly evil has a face and a name that becomes a part of your everyday life ... We truly hope Mr. Brasier never has the opportunity to wreak havoc on other families as he has done on ours.”

‘I'm so, so sorry'

Brasier sobbed loudly and visibly shook when he spoke to Hoffman's family.

"I'm so, so sorry,” Brasier said, through his tears. "I wish I could take it back.”

After the sentence was given, Brasier turned back to the family one last time and sobbed again, "I'm sorry.”

Assistant public defender Robin McPhail explained that Brasier had been high on methamphetamine when the murder took place and that Brasier "was acting as he normally wouldn't.”