Bulletin: Joseph Patterson; South Dakota: Sentenced to spend life in prison for murder of 2-year-old Tyrese Ruffin - in spite of his defence that he was trying to save the infant's life. “This is probably where people expect a guilty person to turn around and ask for forgiveness,” Patterson began. “I’m not guilty. All I did was try to help.”..."Defense attorney Tim Rensch likened Patterson’s case to the Salem witch trials during the sentencing hearing, maintaining that his client was innocent. “I believe that one day this case will be held up as an example of injustice,” Rensch said. "Patterson’s sentence was met with emotion on both sides of the court room. Tears and the rustling of tissues remained almost constant throughout the room as each person addressed the court."

"Joseph Patterson will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of 2-year-old Tyrese Ruffin. Patterson denied his role in Ruffin’s death as he addressed an emotionally charged courtroom for nearly an hour. “This is probably where people expect a guilty person to turn around and ask for forgiveness,” Patterson began. “I’m not guilty. All I did was try to help.” A jury convicted Patterson in September, following a close to three-week trial. He was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and aggravated battery. On Thursday, Judge Bradley Zell imposed a sentence of life in prison without parole, the mandatory minimum sentence for second-degree murder in South Dakota..........Defense attorney Tim Rensch likened Patterson’s case to the Salem witch trials during the sentencing hearing, maintaining that his client was innocent. “I believe that one day this case will be held up as an example of injustice,” Rensch said. Before sentencing, Patterson shared memories of Ruffin, a child he said he loved as his own. He spoke of his love for Doohen, and their plans to marry and have children of their own. “Losing Ty felt like losing a piece of my heart,” Patterson said, later adding. “Put yourself in my shoes. Imagine dealing with that pain … and then be left with the finger pointed at you.” Patterson also criticized the court for holding an unfair trial. He said extensive media coverage caused the jury to have negative feelings about him in court.
“I find it very hard to believe that people hadn’t heard about this,” Patterson said. “Can one honestly say I was given the fairness I deserve?”
http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2015/11/19/joseph-patterson-sentenced-boys-murder-tyrese-ty-ruffin-adrian-peterson/76040388/