Patterson appeals murder conviction, life sentence

Lawyers for a man sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death of a 2-year-old child are appealing his conviction to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Joseph Patterson’s lawyer, Ellery Grey, filed an appeal last month following his sentence on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and aggravated battery.

Patterson was convicted in the death of Tyrese Ruffin, the son of a Sioux Falls woman and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Patterson had been living with the boy’s mother last October when he called 911 to report a choking. The boy later died.

Doctors later informed police that the boy’s injuries were consistent with a beating, not chocking.

Patterson maintained his innocence throughout the trial, saying the boy choked. He told the court before his sentencing that he loved Ruffin as if he were his son.

Patterson also has a pending kidnapping case in Minnehaha County.

He was arrested on kidnapping, aggravated assault and interference with emergency communications charges in late June 2014, after police say he attacked Ruffin's mother and held her against her will for over an hour.

A call to Patterson's lawyer was not immediately returned.

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