CENTREVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man already serving a life sentence for murder has been found guilty of murder in the death a man during a July 2017 crime spree.
A St. Joseph County jury deliberated for about two hours last Friday before finding Zachary Patten guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Shane Richardson in the victim’s home in Florence Township. Richardson was the husband of Patten’s ex-wife.
Earlier on the same day, the 33-year-old Patten of Portage shot 31-year-old Graciela Portillo-Esparza at a mobile home park in Kalamazoo County. In February 2018, Patten was found guilty of first-degree murder in Portillo-Esparza’s death.
St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said he is pleased with the verdict returned against Patten last Friday, noting the evidence against the defendant was “overwhelming.”
Patten is scheduled for sentencing June 21.
- Posted May 21, 2019
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Man found guilty of second murder in two county crime spree
headlines Oakland County
- Whitmer signs gun violence prevention legislation
- Department of Attorney General conducts statewide warrant sweep, arrests 9
- Adoptive families across Michigan recognized during Adoption Day and Month
- Reproductive Health Act signed into law
- Case study: Documentary highlights history of courts in the Eastern District
headlines National
- Nikole Nelson champions a national model to bring legal services to those without access
- Social media and your legal career
- OJ Simpson estate accepts $58M claim by father of Ron Goldman, killed along with Nicole Brown Simpson
- Law prof who called for military action and end to Israel sues over teaching suspension
- The advantages of using an AI agent in contract review
- Courthouse rock, political talk lead to potential suspension for Elvis-loving judge
