Man convicted in death of star athlete’s son being sentenced

Ashley Doohen, Ruffin’s mother, began dating Patterson after the two had made contact on Facebook in June 2013, per Raposa. Under state law, he faced a mandatory life sentence without parole.

Patterson denied his role in Ruffin’s death at the sentencing hearing, the newspaper reported. Patterson will have the opportunity to speak in court before spending the rest of his life behind bars.

He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m.at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton.

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….”

A man convicted in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is being sentenced in South Dakota.

Judge Bradley Zell sentenced Joseph Patterson only on his 2nd degree murder conviction. A doctor who testified for the defense said autopsy photos indicate injuries consistent with a child being given CPR after choking.

Patterson had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges.