Patterson murder trial nears end; closing arguments Tuesday
Jurors will soon decide whether Joseph Patterson will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Patterson's murder trial started Sept. 14, almost two years after 2-year-old Tyrese Ruffin was found unresponsive in his care.
Over the past week and a half, jurors heard from various doctors, law enforcement officials and medical experts. The state rested its case Monday afternoon, and the defense is expected to call its final witness Thursday morning.
Court will be in recess Friday and resume Monday with rebuttal from the state and defense. Once the rebuttal concludes, each side will issue closing statements, and the case will be left for the jury to decide.
The primary question for the jury is whether Ruffin's death was an accident.
The various state witnesses have testified that the injuries causing the boy's death could only have been a result of blunt force trauma.
The defense has maintained that Ruffin choked on a strawberry fruit snack, and that the resulting accidental injuries caused his death.
Court resumes Thursday morning at 8 a.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton. Closing statements are scheduled for Tuesday.
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