Bond set at $500,000 for man accused in beating death

7/13/2010

Bond was set at $500,000 Monday for the man accused of beating his girlfriend to death over the weekend.

Danny Patterson, Jr., 39, of 3722 Manhattan Blvd. appeared in Toledo Municipal Court. He is charged with murder in the beating death of his girlfriend, Vanessa Tucker, 53, in their apartment at the Regina Manor apartment complex.

Also arraigned yesterday morning was a man arrested Saturday at a West Toledo mall.

Darek Abitua, 23, of 5326 Springdale Ave. was arrested Saturday night in Westfield Franklin Park, accused of being in possession of two handguns, a "large quantity of drugs," and cash.

He was held on $70,000 bond and charged with two counts of drug trafficking and unauthorized carry of a concealed weapon. He was placed on supervised parole for three counts of drug possession and resisting arrest.

Finally, a pair accused of shooting a Burger King manager in a robbery late Sunday were arraigned yesterday. Jermaine L. Stokes, 25, of 1768 Cone St. was held on $300,000 bond for felonious assault, aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, and having a weapon under disability.

Robin M. Ensley, 22, of 5084 Norwich Rd. was held on $200,000 bond for felonious assault and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

Police said the two were trying to rob the fast-food restaurant when Stokes shot James Harding, 29, a manager at the Hill Avenue and Reynolds Road restaurant, in the thigh.