Jury Deliberating in Patino Murder Trial
By Matt Blanchette
@mattblanchette
The murder trial of 33 year old Michael Patino is nearing an end, six years after the allgeged crime took place.
Patino is accused of killing his girlfiend’s 6 year old son. Marco Nieves in 2009.
Jurors listened to closing arguments today.
This trial, taking place after much debate over the past six years. At issue, text messages Patino sent to his ex-girlfriend Trisha Oliver. In those Patino admits to hitting 6 year old Marco on October 3, 2009. Marco died a day a day later due to internal injuries and a hole in his intesitine.
The prosecution today calling the boy a punching bag for Patino, saying he’s complained about being hit to his father months before this incident. They also showed the messages Patino sent admitting to hitting Marco three times, once in the stomach, on accident.
The defense saying the mother, Oliver, should have taken the boy to the hospital, as he showed signs of sever pain, in which case his life may have been saved, according to testimony by a medical expert.
The jury will decide between first or second degree murder, manslaughter or innocence.
