Suspect In Death Of Adrian Peterson's Son To Remain In Jail
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A man charged in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will remain in jail until his trial in September for violating conditions of his bond, although his family could still get back the $2 million bond they posted.
Judge Bradley Zell on Tuesday said he does not think Joseph Patterson, 29, is a flight risk, but that he is a danger to the boy's mother, Patterson's ex-girlfriend. Zell ordered him held without bond and ordered the earlier bond money returned to Patterson's family.
Prosecutors Tom Wollman and Tom Hensley had filed motions to revoke Patterson's bond and have the money forfeited to the government. Zell gave the attorneys 30 days to file arguments, but the judge also said he doesn't think Patterson's bond violation warrants a forfeiture of the bond money.
"Money is not the issue; it's whether Mr. Patterson can follow the conditions of the court," Zell said.
Patterson is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault in Tyrese Ruffin's 2013 death. Prosecutors allege Patterson beat Tyrese. Patterson maintains Tyrese choked on a snack.
Patterson was released on $2 million bond in September but surrendered to authorities in early January after they issued an arrest warrant, saying he had violated bond conditions by contacting the boy's mother. Patterson also faces aggravated assault and kidnapping charges in an alleged attack on Tyrese's mother last June.
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