Spring, TX — Shooting date: December 6, 2021 | Sentencing date: March 5, 2024

On December 6, 2021, Patricia “Rici” Birmingham, 48, was shot and killed by her husband, Carey Birmingham (60), outside their home in northwest Harris County. 

The moment was captured on video: Carey told Patricia, “Alright, goodbye. You’re (going to) meet Jesus,” then fired three shots while she held a phone camera. 

The couple had engaged in a 30‑minute heated argument after Carey learned of Patricia’s alleged affair. 

The jury for his case was comprised entirely of women — a rarity in criminal trials. 

Despite the video of the shooting being central to prosecutors’ case, the defense argued the shooting was a “crime of sudden passion.” 

The victim’s daughter, Olivia, testified and rejected the “sudden passion” defense, stating: “You have to have made that decision within you for a while; I feel like to do something, to do that to someone you really love.” 

On March 5, 2024, Carey Birmingham was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $5,000. 

He will be eligible for parole after serving approximately 5 years. 

Many observers, including Patricia’s family, criticized the sentence as lenient given the violent and documented nature of the crime. 

The case sparked ongoing debates about Texas’ “sudden passion” laws and their impact on sentencing in domestic‑violence killings. 

https://x.com/crazyclipsonly/status/1990059966909296959?t=rwjTy9OVGPyjsWnjQT5cDw&s=19

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5798819&forum_id=2most#49435517)