South Dakota Man Convicted in Death of Adrian Peterson’s Son

Tyrese Robert Ruffin died in October 2013 in the home of Patterson and Peterson’s former girlfriend, Ashley Ann Doohen.

A South Dakota jury deliberated for over five hours before reaching their verdict, the site writes. Squire says the blood found in Ruffin’s brain during the autopsy was a small amount, not almost what she would expect to see if the two-year-old’s head was struck or shaken violently.

Dr. Kelly Black said Ruffin was unresponsive and appeared to be in full cardiac arrest when she examined him.

Authorities said Patterson assaulted Tyrese while the two were alone in an apartment in Sioux Falls. Doctors concluded the injuries could not have been accidental, despite a doctor who testified for the defense swearing that Tyrese’s injuries could have come from receiving CPR.

Peterson sat out all but one game last season for the Vikings after he was suspended following child abuse charges involving his 4-year-old son in Texas.

Patterson’s defense lawyer attempted to convince the jury that a possibility existed that the boy died from choking on a fruit snack, and thus there was enough reasonable doubt to exonerate his client.

“We couldn’t be more excited and thrilled for Tyrese”, said Deputy Attorney General Bob Mayer, according to the Argus Leader.

He had been working with Tyrese’s mother to arrange a meeting with his son when he received a call that he had been taken to hospital with severe injuries. “He finally gets the justice he deserved”.

Peterson found out he was Tyrese’s father just two months before his death.