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FIRST ON WNCT: In 911 Call, Richardson Says He'd Planned to Kill Himself

FIRST ON WNCT: In 911 Call, Richardson Tells Dispatcher ... (Added: September 23, 2009)

The Jacksonville Police Department released redacted versions of two 911 calls Wednesday afternoon. One of them is from Cody Richardson, who says he had written a suicide note. (more)

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FIRST ON WNCT: In 911 Call, Richardson Says He'd Planned to Kill Himself

Cpl. Cody Richardson makes his first appearance in an Onslow County courtroom Tuesday morning.

By Philip Jones
Published: September 23, 2009

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Jacksonville police told the media Tuesday that 22-year-old Cpl. Cody Richardson admitted to strangling his wife when he called the cops Monday afternoon.

Police cut out that part of a 911 call released late Wednesday, but in one portion of the grainy tape you can hear Richardson say he planned to kill himself.

He told the dispatcher he’d written a note that “pretty much explains the situation.”

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“It was actually a suicide note,” Richardson says to the dispatcher. “And I was going to follow through on it last night, but I just could not. I couldn't bring myself to do it.”

Richardson sounds calm and collected in the call and talks politely with the dispatcher as she tells him police are on their way.

“I have no intention of causing anyone any harm,” he said.

It's a far cry from the frantic 911 phone call from a man who told the dispatcher he used to be in the military with Richardson.

The unidentified caller says Richardson showed him the suicide note and told him he strangled his wife.

“Did he say how he did it or anything?” the dispatcher asked.

“He had this note that appeared to be a suicide note, telling that he did it and that he had strangled her,” the caller said.

The redacted versions of the calls don't allude to when Richardson may have killed his wife -- but police say 21-year-old Jesse Lauer Richardson may have been dead in the couple's apartment for two days before Cody Richardson called 911.

Jacksonville police released the calls to Nine On Your Side in response to our public records request, but removed portions of the calls after consulting with the district attorney and city attorney.

Richardson was still in jail Wednesday night under a $1 million bond and is charged with first degree murder.

His next court appearance is October 13th.

The 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune announced Wednesday afternoon that Richardson has been administratively separated from the Marine Corps.

The Jacksonville Daily News reported on its website Wednesday afternoon that Jessy Richardson's death certificate shows she died of asphyxiation due to strangulation.