Jake Patterson Waives Preliminary Hearing, Ordered To Stand Trial
BARRON, Wis. (WCCO) -- Jake Patterson, the Wisconsin man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents, waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday, and was ordered to stand trial.
The preliminary hearing was supposed to determine probable cause for the case to go forward. By waiving the hearing, Patterson admitted that there was enough evidence of probable cause for the case to proceed without his admitting guilt.
Patterson, 21, spoke few words during the court appearance, mostly answering the judge's questions. He was ordered to stand trial, with an arraignment date set at March 27.
His attorneys said they do not know how he will plead.
Patterson is charged with killing Closs' parents, James and Denise, on Oct. 15 in the family's Barron home and kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme.
Anyone interested in supporting the Closs family can click here to donate to Jayme's GoFundMe.
In light of Patterson court appearance, family of Jayme Closs tells me they are focusing on justice and healing today.
Jayme and her two aunts are "very very thankful for the wonderful support and kind wishes from all of the amazing people around the world."@WCCO #JaymeCloss
— Mary McGuire (@mcguirereports) February 6, 2019