Sunday, October 1, 2017

Joseph Patterson: South Dakota; Bulletin; Murder conviction moves to South Dakota Supreme Court Monday; Reporter Megan Reposa: Argus Leader (USA Network): October 1, 2017.."He was first arrested two years prior when Tyrese Ruffin, son of Sioux Falls woman Ashley Doohen and NFL running back Adrian Peterson, was found unresponsive in his care. Now, the state Supreme Court will decide whether Patterson's jury trial was mishandled. The five-member court will hear arguments from attorneys Monday on several questions related to Patterson's 2015 trial, including whether the trial court prejudiced the jury by allowing the state to mention prior child beatings. Patterson's defense lawyers maintained throughout the trial that Ruffin choked on a fruit snack. "


ALMOST: "four years after Joseph Patterson was first arrested in the death of a 2-year-old boy, his high-profile murder case will reach the South Dakota Supreme Court. Patterson was convicted of second-degree murder by a Canton jury in September 2015. He was first arrested two years prior when Tyrese Ruffin, son of Sioux Falls woman Ashley Doohen and NFL running back Adrian Peterson, was found unresponsive in his care. Now, the state Supreme Court will decide whether Patterson's jury trial was mishandled. The five-member court will hear arguments from attorneys Monday on several questions related to Patterson's 2015 trial, including whether the trial court prejudiced the jury by allowing the state to mention prior child beatings.Patterson's defense lawyers maintained throughout the trial that Ruffin choked on a fruit snack. But in an emotional courtroom two years ago Friday, the jury sided with the prosecution in determining Patterson was responsible for Ruffin's death.  Patterson is currently serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.  The Supreme Court will listen to oral arguments in Patterson's case starting at 9 a.m. Monday from the University of South Dakota School of Law Courtroom."