Defense rests in trial over death of football player’s son
Published 11:00 am Friday, September 25, 2015
- FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2015 file photo, Joseph Patterson, who is charged in the 2013 killing of Tyrese Robert Ruffin, the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, is escorted into Minnehaha County Court in Sioux Falls, S.D. Patterson’s trial is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 14. (Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader via AP, File) NO SALES
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The defense has rested in the trial of a South Dakota man accused of killing the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
Twenty-nine-year-old Joseph Patterson has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in the October 2013 death of Tyrese Robert Ruffin, who was the son of his girlfriend and Peterson.
Patterson maintains that Tyrese choked on a fruit snack. A doctor on Thursday testified for the defense, saying autopsy photos indicate injuries consistent with a child being given CPR after choking.
Investigators allege that Patterson assaulted Tyrese while they were alone in an apartment.
The trial resumes with rebuttal testimony Monday and closing arguments Tuesday. It’ll be the trial’s third week.
Patterson faces a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted of second-degree murder.
