ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 2:50 PM
Darryl Patterson was found guilty of sexual battery, and guilty of attempted sexual battery. However, the jury did not find that Patterson had penetrated his victim during the act, which would have made him eligible for tougher sentencing
Patterson GUILTY of sexual battery, GUILTY of attempted sexual battery. However, the jury did NOT find that Patterson had penetrated his victim during the act, which would have made him eligible for tougher sentencing. #WFTV
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) March 6, 2018
More details will be made available as they develop.
An earlier report of today's proceedings follows:
The defense called its first witnesses to the stand Tuesday in the case of an accused serial rapist from Windermere.
The prosecution wrapped up its case Monday after two of the alleged victims testified.
Jennifer Dixon, a friend of Darryl Patterson, testified Tuesday about the frequent visits she and Patterson made to Bird Island.
The relevance here seems to be the implication that Patterson had a habit of taking women out and drinking with them, independent of any sexual motives. #WFTV https://t.co/pVVEyvxSux
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) March 6, 2018
The defense then argued for a motion of judgment of acquittal.
"Allowing the case to go to the jury based on (the alleged victim) saying, 'I felt like I had sex,' is not right," said the defense attorney Richard Parker.
ASA Deborah Barra is responding to defense attorney Richard Parker's motion for Judgment of Acquittal yesterday, in which he argued Patterson was charged under a statute that didn't exist in 2012 (the time of the alleged crime). #WFTV
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) March 6, 2018
The request for the judgment of acquittal is based on the defense's claim that the video does not conclusively prove that Patterson had sex with the victim.
Prosecutor Deborah Barra argues it wasn't necessary to prove and she said the totality of Patterson's actions on the tape make his intentions clear.
"Yes, he absolutely furthers his quest to commit sexual battery," she said.
The victims testified Monday that they had no idea they had been raped by Patterson until police discovered sex tapes years later.
Those tapes were allegedly recorded without the womens' knowledge.
He was arrested in 2016 after an ex-girlfriend turned video of some alleged assaults over to investigators years earlier.
Timeline: Darryl Patterson alleged rapes investigation
During proceedings Monday, the jury watched a video of Patterson and the alleged victim having sex.
On the recording, the victim begs Patterson multiple times to wait until the next day. But the victim didn't remember the incident.
Patterson turned down a plea deal offer last month.
Patterson did not testify, but after both sides said their closing arguments, he complained to the judge that he didn’t think his lawyer did enough to help him.
The judge disagreed and the case went to the jury.
He is charged with sexual battery and attempted sexual battery.
Cox Media Group
