Criminal case against Jake Patterson not a simple one even though he said 'I did it'
Interesting story on MPR this morning (sorry if already posted).
3 takeaways...
1. Defense will likely try to plead insanity, but it is likely to be struck down because of his level of planning and coherence.
2. There is nowhere in the state that would be better for JTP. Everyone knows about this story.
3. Douglas County is hoping they won't have to file charges at all. If JTP pleads guilty they likely won't. If they have to file charges they are anticipating a media circus.
My thoughts on item 3. When I read this summary my stomach turned thinking that someone with knowledge of the case was saying going public with those charges would create a media circus. That to me meant they were so horrible they would cause a media sensation. When I read the article the person speaking was only going off their professional experience as well as what has been released in the media. While I have no doubt her experience was the stuff of nightmares I just wanted to point out that at this point, this is just one persons speculation, not confirmed fact.
From the article:
Former Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said prosecutors are holding the best hand right now. She said there's still the possibility that Patterson will be charged for crimes he allegedly committed in Douglas County, Wis., where Patterson allegedly held Jayme for 88 days.
But Gaernter said the prosecutors in Douglas County will have to weigh the pros and cons before they make a filing decision.
"I think that the care they're taking to not make a media display of sensitive, highly-personal information about what might have happened during her captivity," said Gaertner. "I respect that approach a lot."
Gaertner said Douglas County will not need to "pile on" more charges if Patterson is convicted and receives the maximum sentence.
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