Man Charged in Two Solano County Murders Faces Lengthy Sentence

Hearing to determine if charges can be tried together delayed in Solano County Superior Court

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Richard Raymond Klein, a 54-year-old Martinez man, is facing two murder charges and other felony counts related to shootings that occurred in Fairfield and Suisun City, California in 2022. The hearing to determine if the two murder cases can be tried together or must be severed has been delayed until Thursday and Friday in Solano County Superior Court.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about repeat offenders and public safety, as Klein was released on a pretrial services contract after the first murder charge, only to allegedly commit a second fatal shooting while out of custody. The outcome of the hearing to sever the charges could impact the potential sentence Klein faces if convicted.

The details

Klein is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, committing murder while released on his own recognizance, and a special circumstance for committing multiple murders. The prosecution alleges that Klein committed murder on April 21, 2022, in Fairfield, and then again on December 15, 2022, in Suisun City while out on the initial murder charge. Defense attorney Dustin Gordon is challenging to sever the cases, arguing that witnesses and issues in each shooting are not cross-admissible.

  • The hearing on the allegations against Klein and the motion to sever the two murder charges was delayed on Wednesday and will resume on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and is expected to continue on Friday.
  • Klein was initially scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the Fairfield case on October 28, 2022 and was held to answer as charged.
  • Klein was formally arraigned on the Fairfield murder charge about two weeks later in November 2022.
  • The second shooting incident in Suisun City occurred on December 15, 2022.
  • Klein was taken into custody in Rosarito, Mexico by U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities and returned to the United States on January 13, 2023.

The players

Richard Raymond Klein

A 54-year-old Martinez man charged with two counts of murder, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, committing murder while released on his own recognizance, and a special circumstance for committing multiple murders.

Dustin Gordon

The defense attorney representing Klein, who is challenging to sever the two murder cases.

Barry Shapiro

The deputy district attorney prosecuting the case against Klein.

Judge John B. Ellis

The Solano County Superior Court judge presiding over the hearing.

Anthony Fuimaono

The victim of the April 21, 2022 murder in Fairfield that Klein is charged with.

Matthew Muller

The victim of the December 15, 2022 murder in Suisun City that Klein is charged with.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Thursday whether or not to allow the two murder charges against Klein to be tried together or if they must be severed into separate trials.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about repeat offenders and public safety, as Klein was released on a pretrial services contract after the first murder charge, only to allegedly commit a second fatal shooting while out of custody. The outcome of the hearing to sever the charges could significantly impact the potential sentence Klein faces if convicted.