Man Gets Life for Killing Adrian Peterson’s Son

Joseph Patterson, the man who was convicted in September of killing Adrian Peterson’s 2-year-old son Tyrese Ruffin, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. During the trial his defense team argued that Ruffin choked on a fruit snack, and Patterson was simply giving him CPR. “I’m not guilty. All I did was try to help”.

The child, Tyrese Robert Ruffin, died in October 2013.

According to an autopsy report, the young boy died due to four blows to the head which doctors concluded were intentional. Patterson said Peterson wanted to talk financials with Doohen and he wanted to keep the fact that he was Ty’s father “under water” until the season was over.

Before he was sentenced, Patterson told the court he loved Ruffin and the boy’s mother, Ashley Doohen. I will never be forced into an admission.

Of course his attorney believes his client hasn’t been treated fairly, adding, “I believe that one day this case will be held up as an example of injustice”.

Presiding Judge Bradley Zell reminded Patterson that he chose to be tried by a jury of his peers and that the members of the panel delivered the verdict based on evidence, not on their pre-existing beliefs.

He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m.at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton. Joseph Patterson was also sentenced to 25 years in prison for aggravated battery of an infant.