WI - Jayme Closs, 13, Barron,Media, Maps and Timelines *NO DISCUSSION*

[PommyMommy]

MAR 29, 2019
Jake Patterson Moved to New Jail
Two days after 21-year-old Jake Patterson pleaded guilty to killing the parents of 13-year-old Jayme Closs and holding her captive for months, he has been moved to a new jail.

[...]

This is the second time Patterson has been moved. He was initially housed in the Barron County Jail following his arrest in January. He was moved to the Polk County Jail because one of Jayme's relatives works at the Barron County facility.

WQOW reports Patterson will be in the Dunn County Jail until his sentencing on May 24. He is facing life in prison for two counts of first degree intentional homicide and an additional 40 years after pleading guilty to kidnapping.

Jayme Closs kidnapper moved to another jail
[...]

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald tells our ABC sister station, WQOW, in Eau Claire that Jake Patterson was moved to the Dunn County jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled on May 24.

Patterson had been in the Polk County Jail since January.

Fitzgerald said Patterson was transferred after Wednesday's hearing. He called it an "administrative" decision and said there were not any issues or threats that prompted the move.

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2019
National TV documentary on Jayme Closs promises 'exclusive interviews' and 'new details'
[...]

"Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case" will premiere on April 27 at 7 p.m. CDT. The teenager did not participate in the documentary, a family member said.

The network's announcement highlighted Smart's recent visit to Barron, where she conducted "exclusive interviews with key players in Jayme's harrowing case and incredible rescue" in January after 88 days in captivity. Smart also was able to "personally uncover new details" about the case, the announcement continued.

The network left out of its announcement whether Jayme was among those Smart met.

"Jayme is not in the documentary," Jennifer Smith, Jayme's primary caregiver, said Monday morning. "She has not given any interviews. There is no way she is in there."

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 2, 2019
'Bye, Jayme': Jake Patterson's path to convictions in the Jayme Closs case was unusual
[...]

Patterson’s fixation on Jayme is documented in court records and in communications from jail. It’s not clear what Patterson meant when he spoke her name on Wednesday, but Christine M. Sarteschi, associate professor of social work and criminology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, has a theory.

“I see this as his way of telling her and her family that they are still in danger, that he has not forgotten about them,” she said. “It’s another way of saying ‘I am still here, you are not free of me.’”

“One of the most important aspects to keep in mind about this particular crime is that he is proud of what he did. He wants to be seen as tough, powerful and scary,” Sarteschi said.

[...]

Legal experts say it's uncommon for people to plead guilty as charged to crimes that carry life-in-prison terms.

[...]

“A number of reasons could lead one to take such a plea at this stage. Many defendants are genuinely remorseful, and Patterson's demeanor, choice, and stated concerns about the family seem to at least partly fall in that category.”

Kirchmeier said mental illness could have been a part of Patterson’s decision to plead guilty, “especially considering someone who never really worked and who had such a limited time in the Marines and who committed such horrible crimes while having no criminal history.”

“Thus, someone's choices and reasoning may be affected by their mental health, especially while they are in jail conditions,” he said. “His reasoning for making the plea — to protect Ms. Closs and her family from more trauma — may seem odd to many of us considering what he has already done to the family. But it can also be genuine to such a young defendant.”

[...]

Daniel S. Medwed, professor of law and criminal justice at Northeastern University in Boston, offered a different take on Patterson's plea.

“That does strike me as unusual,” he said, citing the absence of a death penalty in Wisconsin and the unlikelihood of Patterson being paroled for such horrific crimes.

“Prosecutors likely made the offer to spare her family the horror and disquiet of a full-blown trial,” Medwed said. “As for Patterson, maybe the idea was to avoid the gruesome details surfacing in court and making him more of a target for violence once he’s behind bars.”

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2019
‘Survival story:’ Lifetime teams up with Elizabeth Smart for ‘Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case’
[...]

According to a press release, the 90-minute special, premiering April 27 at 7 p.m. CT will feature Smart’s exclusive interviews with key players in the Closs case.

[...]

Below is a description of the special from the release:

“This is the incredible survival story that riveted the nation. 13-year-old Jayme Closs, kidnapped from her home in Wisconsin, after watching her mother and father murdered before her eyes. After 88 days in captivity, which began in October 2018, Jayme managed to break free, run for help, and was ultimately rescued. The special is hosted by famed survivor Elizabeth Smart, who was held captive for nine months at the age of 14 until rescued by authorities. Now an activist and advocate for missing persons, Smart leads a roundtable of women who know Jayme’s nightmare all too well, including, Gina DeJesus, Katie Beers, Kara Robinson Chamberlin, Alicia Kozakiewicz, Denise Huskins and Sarah Maynard. These women are all survivors of their own infamous abductions, assaults and attacks and for the first time, are coming together with Elizabeth to help provide valuable insight to Jayme’s story. In addition, Elizabeth travels to Wisconsin to personally uncover new details and speaks with those closest to her and those vital in the rescue. Produced by Telepictures, Smart Justice is executive produced by Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey, Jeremy Spiegel and Scott Eldridge. Mioshi Hill and Gena McCarthy executive produce for Lifetime.”

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 2, 2019
Celebration and benefit honoring Jayme Closs to be held in Barron

A celebration with food and music commemorating the safe return of Barron teen, Jayme Closs will be held the first Saturday of May.

The event will also be a benefit for Bob and Jennifer Smith, Jayme’s relatives.

The benefit proceeds will go to the family for general expenses and to help accommodate Jayme.

It will be held May 4th from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. at Barron High School Commons Gym.

Food will be served from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Spaghetti, Breadsticks, Coleslaw, cookies and beverages are on the menu.

There will be a short program at 2 P.M. in the gym with a live auction to follow.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 3, 2019
Double murderer, kidnapper awaits sentencing; Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Life behind bars for Patterson?
“Bye, Jayme,” were the last words convicted double murderer and kidnapper Jake T. Patterson said to the courtroom before he was pushed out of the courtroom by deputies and escorted back to jail with no bond.

It was a bizarre, bold statement from a man who appeared to be holding back tears and emotions just moments before as he told Barron County Judge James Babler that he understood the charges against him and by pleading guilty, he would lose the right to a trial and could spend the rest of his life in prison.

[...]

In the 48-seat courtroom were family members of Jayme Closs and her late parents, James and Denise Closs. Patterson’s father and sister sat behind him, with a media pool of around 18 reporters behind them.

Security was increased with numerous law enforcement officers inside the courtroom. The public passed through metal detectors before entering the venue. No coats or bags were allowed.

Patterson was escorted into court by deputies. He wore an orange prison jumpsuit with his wrists handcuffed and shackled at the waist.

[...]

Patterson affirmed to Babler that he had not been coerced into the plea agreement. He said he knowingly, and of sound mind, accepted the deal to plead guilty.

Patterson’s attorney, Jones, told the court Patterson wanted to enter a guilty plea from early on in the case, even before all the evidence was reviewed by the defense team.

[...]

“Do you understand that if the court felt justice required, I could impose two life sentences consecutively, with a 40-year sentence consecutive?” Babler asked.

“Yes,” Patterson replied.

[...]

Relatives of Jayme Closs and her parents were silent during the hearing, as were Patterson’s father and his sister.

Closs’ relatives left the courtroom silently, some with visible tears, and did not speak to reporters outside of the courtroom. They were escorted to the district attorney’s offices.

A relative of Jayme Closs later said they had been advised to not talk about the case until it had concluded.

Patterson’s father and sister silently left the courtroom, escorted by deputies.

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 16, 2019
Jayme Closs' kidnapper refuses to cooperate in presentence investigation
Jake T. Patterson, who pleaded guilty in March to kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents in their Barron, Wis., home last fall, is refusing to cooperate with authorities preparing his pre-sentencing investigation.

A letter from the probation and parole agent conducting the investigation was filed in Barron County Circuit Court Monday stating that Patterson was advised by his attorney on April 9 not to cooperate.

“Unless directed by the court, I am still planning to complete the PSI [pre-sentence investigation] with whatever information I am able to obtain,” Wisconsin Probation and Parole Agent Jennifer Sem wrote in an April 10 letter to Circuit Judge James Babler.

The Green Bay Press Gazette first reported the letter Tuesday, noting that criminal defendants don’t have to cooperate with the presentence investigation in Wisconsin. The report helps the judge determine an appropriate sentence.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 16, 2019
Jamie Closs’ Kidnapper Jake Patterson Is Refusing to Cooperate Ahead of Sentencing
[...]

The presentence investigation generally consists of an interview with the defendant, a review of his or her criminal record, and a review of the specific facts of the crime. The probation or court services department prepares a report that contains all of this information and makes a recommendation to the court about the type and severity of the sentence.

A sentencing guidelines worksheet is often included in the PSI to assist the court in determining whether to depart from the guidelines and enhance or reduce the severity of the standard sentence.

It’s not entirely clear at this time why the defense is keeping Patterson away from interview scenarios, but perhaps they feel he may only hurt himself by cooperating.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 16, 2019
Patterson won't cooperate with investigation in Closs case
[...]

Jennifer Sem, a probation and parole agent for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, told Judge James Babler she attempted to meet with Patterson at the Dunn County Jail on April 10. He declined to be interviewed, citing the advice of his legal counsel a day earlier.

[...]

Presentence investigations are nearly always ordered in serious felony cases in state and federal courts. While the reports can play a major role in the judge's sentencing decision, the process is not particularly well-known because it is cloaked in secrecy.

Presentence investigations generally contain a biography of sorts — using interviews and documents to provide background on the defendant's criminal history, childhood, family, relationships, employment, health, chemical dependency issues and more. For that reason, the reports remain confidential and copies are only provided to the judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys.

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 23, 2019
Elizabeth Smart's documentary on Jayme Closs shares survivor stories, short on new details
[...]

Despite Lifetime's promises of new details and exclusive interviews, the documentary offers little in the way of fresh information about a case that's gripped Wisconsin and people across the nation. And Jayme's family isn't on board with it.

"Just sharing for public knowledge that the family did NOT approve this documentary to include Jayme or her story," family friend Jennifer Halvorson wrote in the "Light the way home for Jayme" Facebook group earlier this month. "The family is focused on recovery and I hope the media will step back and allow them this."

[...]

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald met with Smart during her visit and was interviewed for the project. But he didn't disclose any new information, he said.

"It’s not a documentary on Jayme," he said. "It talks about Jayme’s story."

During her visit to Barron, according to the documentary, Smart met Jayme and her aunt and uncle, who have assumed guardianship for the teenager. The conversation was private, because the state Department of Justice said an on-camera interview could compromise the case against Patterson, who had not yet been convicted at the time.

A DOJ spokeswoman confirmed the department recommended Jayme not make public statements prior to Patterson's sentencing.

A spokeswoman for Lifetime said in a statement that the Closs family cooperated with producers but "under advisement of the DOJ, declined to do interviews, a decision the producers honored and respect."

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 26, 2019
https://nypost.com/2019/04/26/eliza...me-closs-lifetime-special-to-be-exploitative/
Elizabeth Smart, America’s most famous kidnapping survivor, is now an advocate for child safety.

Even so, she was reluctant to host her new Lifetime special “Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case.”

“I was hesitant about doing her story,” says Smart, who was 14 when she was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City in 2002 and held captive for nine months until she was rescued.

“I had been in [Jayme’s] situation and I never wanted it to come out as exploitative,” says Smart, now 31. “I wanted to be respectful and protective of her family. I told Lifetime, ‘If I was to consider doing this, I would in no way want to go into her story because if she ever decides to share it, that is completely up to her. That’s not what it is at all.’ ”

(Members of the Closs family cooperated with the show’s producers but were advised by the Department of Justice to decline interviews, according to Lifetime.)

[...]

Smart goes to see Jayme and her aunt and uncle (who are now raising her), but the actual visit was not filmed. “All the meetings I have with survivors I keep confidential,” she says. “I’m always happy to talk, to listen. I’m a phone call away. They have my number.”

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 26, 2019
Elizabeth Smart brings together fellow kidnapping victims to share survival stories
[...]

"For me, I feel like this was the biggest love letter that we could've given Jayme," Smart told TODAY's Natalie Morales.

Though Smart acknowledged she and Closs share similar kidnapping stories, she said her documentary wasn't intended to be a rehash about what happened to the Wisconsin teen.

"This is about her return. This is about what it's like as a survivor coming back and moving forward," she said.

[...]

In the Lifetime special, Smart provides insight with "what it takes to go from being a victim to a survivor," she said in an Instagram post featuring the special's other survivors: Gina DeJesus, Katie Beers, Kara Robinson, Alicia Kozakiewicz, Denise Huskins and Sarah Maynard.

[...]

Smart said people have "misunderstood" her intent.

"I think I was probably one of the first people to say to leave the Closs family alone. To let them this time to heal," she said.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 27, 2019
Abduction survivors share advice in new documentary about Closs case
A new Lifetime documentary that aired Saturday evening, sheds light on a case all too familiar with our region and with the world.

The documentary is about the abduction of teen Jayme Closs and her miraculous escape from her captor, 21-year-old Jake Patterson. The 90-minute Lifetime movie, “Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case,” tells Jayme’s story through the eyes of abduction survivors, including Elizabeth Smart.

The idea to bring several survivors together is to show Jayme she is not alone, and to give her advice only a survivor could give.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 27, 2019
Elizabeth Smart brings together group of abduction survivors

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 28, 2019
Lifetime show about Jayme Closs case, featuring Elizabeth Smart, tells powerful story
Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart is awed and impressed with Jayme Closs and her courageous escape from captivity after 88 days of being held hostage in rural Gordon.

“When I got home, my parents were waiting for me. That didn’t happen for Jayme,” Smart said in the opening of “Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs case,” which debuted Saturday night. The 90-minute TV program aired on the Lifetime Network.

[...]

“I was in contact with the Closs family before I ever arrived in Barron, Wis.,” she said.

Smart was looking forward to meeting them in person. However, an on-camera interview wasn’t permitted because prosecutors didn’t want an interview to somehow affect the ongoing court case, Smart explained.

[...]

Fitzgerald drove Elizabeth Smart through Barron city limits, telling her about the town.

[...]

Beth McDonough, a TV reporter from a Twin Cities station, also was interviewed, recalling the excitement and emotion of hearing Jayme had been found alive, and being able to share this great news with Jayme’s aunt.

[...]

The final 20 minutes of the show included a roundtable discussion with Smart and six other women who had been kidnapped; some were held for just a few days, others for weeks and months. Their stories were sprinkled throughout the show, before they gathered at the conclusion of the show.

[...]

They talked about the difficulty of trying to transition back into normal life, figuring out how to go back to school, and overcoming their fears. They wanted to share these stories to help Jayme cope and move forward.

[...]

The entire show was extremely well done; it wasn’t too sensational or over-the-top. The interviews were well done, and all the locals involved in this story were treated well.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 1, 2019
Jayme family event Sat. at high school
A fundraiser for the family of escaped kidnap victim Jayme Closs is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Barron High School commons.

The event is being organized by a team of volunteers led by local contractor BB and his daughter, MBS.

Proceeds will help Jayme’s aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, add onto their home to better accommodate the needs of their niece.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 3, 2019
Celebration of Jayme Closs' return and benefit event
Barron High School will host a celebration for Jayme Closs and a benefit for Bob and Jennifer Smith on May 4, 2019. Benefits will be used by Bob and Jennifer for general family expenses, and to better accommodate Jayme in their home.

Event Details:

• May 4, 2019
• 10:00am – 4:00pm
• Barron High School – Commons/Gym

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 4, 2019
Jayme Closs attends benefit, receives national award
At a benefit in her honor Saturday, Jayme Closs was given a national award.

Jayme was in the crowd in Barron High School's gymnasium as the American Legion Auxiliary gave her their Youth Hero Award, citing her bravery.

Her aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, accepted the award on her behalf on a stage in the gym.

KARE 11 did not take photos or video of Jayme, as her family requested.

[...]

The money raised will be given to Jayme and the Smiths, who Jayme is living with. Organizers say it will be used for family expenses and to make more room in their home. The Smiths, according to organizer BB, moved into their current home as empty nesters. They now need more space for Jayme to be comfortable, too.

[...]

Voice contestant and Barron native, Chris Kroeze, attended the benefit and donated several auction items.

Organizers expected to raise several thousand dollars from the benefit. However, they say the event was less about the money and more a celebration of Jayme's return.

"We wanted to celebrate that she was back," said BB.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 8, 2019
Jayme family event raises $40,000; Between 1,000 and 1,300 people attended, including Jayme

Live and silent auctions took place during the May 4 fundraiser for Bob and Jennifer Smith, aunt and uncle of Jayme Closs. Bidders visited auction tables in the Barron High School gymnasium.

Barron contractor BB stepped to a microphone early Saturday afternoon, May 4, 2019, at Barron High School, to announce that “a special young lady was coming” to a community benefit that drew well over 1,000 people to the school gymnasium and commons.

He was right.

Shortly before a 2 p.m. ceremony, Jayme Closs accompanied her aunt and uncle, rural Barron residents Bob and Jennifer Smith, into the gym.

[...]

Jayme has been in counseling since her escape, and BB said that had to be kept in mind as the May 4 event drew nearer on the calendar.

“Some of her counselors said yes, it was OK for her to come,” he said. “Some said no. Bob and Jennifer made the final decision.”

[...]

Although a complete accounting hadn’t been finished by press time Tuesday, BB estimated some $40,000 in proceeds was raised at the May 4 celebration.

“My estimate was that we had between 1,000 and 1,300 people,” he said.

[...]

Man pleads guilty to Closs burglary
A Cameron man who was arrested after entering the home of kidnap victim Jayme Closs in late October 2018 will be sentenced June 26, 2019, after pleading guilty to a single felony count of burglary during a May 3 hearing in Barron County Circuit Court.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 15, 2019
Kidnap victim Jayme Closs honored as ‘hometown hero’ by Wisconsin Assembly
Jayme Closs is being honored by state lawmakers as a “hometown hero.”

[...]

Her aunt, Jen Smith, accepted the award and said Jayme’s bravery and spirit are inspiring.

"Speaking for her entire family, I have to say, Jayme is totally deserving of the hero part of this award," Smith said. "Her courage, her bravery and her spirit are things that inspire us and make us stronger and better. Just like you, we want Jayme to know how much we love her."

Jayme stood behind her aunt but did not speak.

It was the most public appearance to date for Jayme, who escaped her kidnapper in January.

[...]

FBI Milwaukee on Twitter