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Ricardo Medina Jr.

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Ricardo Medina
Born (1979-01-24) January 24, 1979 (age 45)
Kern County, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2002–2012
Known for
Criminal chargeVoluntary manslaughter
Criminal penalty6 years in prison
Criminal statusReleased

Ricardo Medina Jr. (often referred to as Rick Medina, born January 24, 1979) is an American former actor. He is best known for his role as Cole Evans, the Red Wild Force Ranger on the TV series Power Rangers Wild Force, and later as Deker, the half-human cursed Nighlok in Power Rangers Samurai. He was in prison for over three years for the voluntary manslaughter of his roommate, Joshua Sutter.

Early life

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Ricardo Medina Jr. was born in Kern County, California, and raised in Downey, California.[1] He is of Puerto Rican descent.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Power Rangers Wild Force Cole Evans / Red Wild Force Ranger 40 episodes
2003 ER Aidan Fenwick Episode: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"
2004 CSI: Miami Lance Episode: "Money for Nothing"
2005 Kept Contestant (Eliminated 5th)
2005 Confessions of a Pit Fighter David Castillo
2007 Witchcraft Jack Bell / Drion
2008 Parasomnia Officer
2011–2012 Power Rangers Samurai / Power Rangers Super Samurai Deker 24 episodes
2012 Bad Blood Mark

Killing of Joshua Sutter and conviction

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On February 1, 2015, Medina was arrested after he allegedly stabbed to death his 38-year-old roommate, Joshua Sutter, on January 31.[2] Sutter had been stabbed in the abdomen with a medieval "Conan the Barbarian" sword at a home in Green Valley, west of Palmdale, California. Medina called emergency services, and Sutter was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital. Medina was initially held on $1 million bail, but no charges were filed against him from the district attorney due to requests on further investigation so he was released on February 3, 2015. Medina claimed that he stabbed Sutter in self-defense after Sutter forced open the door of Medina's bedroom, into which Medina and his girlfriend had retreated after an argument between Medina and Sutter.[3][4][5][6][7] Medina had lived in the home in Green Valley for approximately two months.[8][9]

On January 14, 2016, he was arrested again on murder charges in connection with Sutter's death.[10][11][12] At that time, Medina faced a possible sentence of life imprisonment with a chance of parole after 26 years with prosecutors planning to ask that Medina be held on $1 million bail. On March 16, 2017, Medina pled guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter. On March 30, 2017, Medina was sentenced to the maximum 6 years in prison.[13] As of 2020 Medina Jr. has been released from prison as revealed in an interview with Wild Force co-star Jack Guzman.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Interview with Rick Medina". YouTube. August 26, 2012. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. ^ "Former 'Power Rangers' Actor Arrested For Murder". January 19, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  3. ^ Stallworth, Leo (February 3, 2015). "Ex-Power Ranger released from jail after no charges filed; DA requests further investigation". Eyewitness News - ABC7. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  4. ^ "Power Rangers Samurai Star Ricardo Medina Jr. Arrested For Stabbing Roommate to Death With Sword: Report". US Magazine. February 1, 2015. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  5. ^ Taylor, Kellu (February 1, 2015). "'Power Rangers' Actor Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Roommate With Sword". My FOX LA. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Parkinson, Hannah Jane (February 2, 2015). "Red Power Ranger actor charged with murdering roommate with sword". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  7. ^ Pamer, Melissa; Wynter, Kareen (January 14, 2016). "'Power Rangers' Actor Charged With Murder in Sword-Stabbing Death of Roommate: DA". KTLA. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Suter, Leanne (February 1, 2015). "FORMER POWER RANGER FATALLY STABS ROOMMATE WITH SWORD IN GREEN VALLEY, LASD CONFIRMS". ABC 7. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  9. ^ Brucculieri, Julia (January 14, 2016). "Former 'Power Rangers' Star Ricardo Medina Jr. Charged With Murder". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  10. ^ Stedman, Alex (January 14, 2016). "'Power Rangers' star Ricardo Medina charged with murder". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  11. ^ "Former 'Power Rangers' Star Ricardo Medina Jr. Charged With Murder". The Huffington Post. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  12. ^ "Ex 'Power Ranger' Ricardo Medina charged with murder in roommate's stabbing". Fox News Latino. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  13. ^ "Ex-Power Ranger Ricardo Medina is sentenced to six years for killing his roommate". BBC Newsbeat. March 31, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  14. ^ "Jack Guzman Interview (Power Rangers Wild Force) - YouTube". YouTube. June 28, 2020.
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