Waller County Jury Convicts Man in 2020 Box Cutter Murder

WALLER COUNTY, Texas — A Waller County jury has convicted a man in the 2020 murder of a Brookshire resident after deliberating for just 24 minutes, according to prosecutors.

The guilty verdict was returned Friday, April 17, 2026, following a four-day trial in the 506th District Court with Judge Gary Chaney presiding.

Ronald Brandyburg was convicted in the Jan. 14, 2020 killing of Clifford Richard.

Prosecutors said Brandyburg used a box cutter to slash Richard’s neck during a brutal attack witnessed by multiple people.

Jurors heard testimony from three eyewitnesses, a paramedic who treated Richard, a medical examiner with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, a former Brookshire police officer, Texas Ranger Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Michael Arambula.

According to prosecutors, evidence showed Brandyburg cut Richard’s neck, then returned and said, “You ain’t dead yet?” before cutting his neck a second time.

Richard died while being transported to the hospital.

During trial, the defense sought to introduce mental health evidence, but prosecutors said the court deemed it irrelevant to whether Brandyburg understood right from wrong at the time of the killing.

Assistant Criminal District Attorney Darian Etienne argued the defendant’s flat affect during the killing was not evidence of diminished awareness, but of dangerousness.

“This was a brutal, public killing witnessed by multiple people,” Assistant Criminal District Attorney Bennett Dodson said. “We are grateful to all the members of the community who came and testified to bring justice for Clifford Richard.”

Dodson added, “Anyone contemplating a heinous act like this should know that Waller County will not let it go unpunished.”

Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said the conviction reflected the office’s commitment to victims.

“The road to justice is sometimes long,” Whittmore said, “but my office will continue to fight for victims of senseless violence.”

Sentencing information was not included in the announcement.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Darian Etienne and Bennett Dodson.