CHARLESTON, WV — A 32-year-old former McDonald’s employee, Richard W. Thornton, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison following a violent incident at a West Virginia McDonald’s. The sentencing, led by Circuit Court Judge Kenneth D. Ballard, comes after Thornton attacked a 56-year-old customer in the restaurant’s bathroom, stabbing him multiple times in the face and neck before stealing his wallet.
The attack, described as unprovoked by Judge Ballard, occurred as the victim used the restroom facilities. The victim suffered severe, life-threatening injuries and required immediate hospitalization. During the sentencing, Judge Ballard condemned Thornton’s actions, highlighting the brutality of the assault.
Thornton, who has already served 492 days, will likely spend the remainder of his life in a state correctional facility, facing a sentence for first-degree robbery. The case, which has garnered significant attention, underscores the severity of the crime and its impact on the community.
