Man guilty in beating death near trailer court

Aaron Jones, 21, of Church Street in Toledo, confers with his attorney, Nicole Khoury, during his trial in Common Pleas Court. Patterson THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

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A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury Wednesday night convicted a 21-year-old on murder and aggravated robbery charges stemming from the death of a man whose badly beaten body was found at the entrance to a South Toledo mobile home park in June, 2009.

The trial, which began Monday, concluded with verdicts from the nine-woman, three-man jury.

Judge James Jensen scheduled sentencing for Aaron Jones for July 28. Jones, of 569 Church St., faces up to life in prison for the June 20, 2009, death of Jeffrey Patterson, 49.

"It was one of the more brutal homicides I've seen," said Jeff Lingo, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor who presented evidence to the jury. "I think the jury listened carefully and made the appropriate decision."

Defense attorney Nicole Khoury said during her closing argument that the prosecution's case hinged on the testimony of "one accusing finger of a self-admitted liar."

Ms. Khoury was referring to a witness she said has a drug problem and a history of lying, someone who reputedly waited 2 1/2 months before coming forward to offer testimony.

The defense attorney said Wednesday night she was disappointed by the verdict and maintained her client's innocence.

The victim's father, Clarence Patterson of Dayton, who comforted some weeping relatives in the courtroom, said afterward in the hallway that the family appreciates the hard work that authorities put into the case.

He characterized his son's death as a senseless tragedy that destroyed more lives than the victim's.

"It's just sad, really, because alcohol destroyed my son's life, and drugs, in turn, destroyed Aaron's life," Mr. Patterson, 72, said.

"You know, we live in the greatest country on Earth. Both could have gotten help at any time, and they didn't," he said. "This was the outcome. It's just sad."

Mr. Patterson, who lived in the 3700 block of Hill Avenue, was found dead at the ByrneHill Mobile Home Park, 3601 Hill. He had been walking home from a nearby gas station after buying a six-pack of beer about 12:30 a.m., authorities have said.

Jones was arrested Aug. 27, 2009, at his home after authorities had spent more than two months investigating leads. Shortly after the slaying, the family offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of enticing witnesses to come forward.

Contact Tom Henry at:

thenry@theblade.com

or 419-724-6079.