Joseph Patterson, the man who killed the son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. He will also serve a concurrent 25-year sentence for aggravated battery charges.
Patterson was convicted for his role in the 2013 death of two-year-old Tyrese Ruffin.
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Patterson maintained his innocence in addressing the courtroom Thursday, saying, per Raposa, “This is probably where people expect a guilty person to turn around and ask for forgiveness. … I’m not guilty. All I did was try to help.” Defense attorney Tim Rensch added, “I believe that one day this case will be held up as an example of injustice.” h/t bleacherreport
Patterson maintained that he didn’t feel he received a fair trial, implying the press’ portrayal of the case worsened the jury’s perception of him..