The man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents is due back in court Wednesday morning in Barron County.
21-year-old Jake Patterson has been charged with two counts of first degree intentional homicide, kidnapping and armed burglary.
Patterson’s preliminary hearing will be the first time he appears in person in a courtroom. A few weeks ago, Patterson made his initial court appearance via video conference per protocol in Barron County.
MORE COVERAGE: Jayme Closs Found Alive, Sheriff Says
Patterson’s preliminary hearing offers him the opportunity to hear the evidence the state has gathered against him before deciding whether to take the case to trial. Prosecutors strongly believe Patterson will stand trial.
Patterson will have to be transported to the hearing from the Polk County Jail where he’s currently being held. The Barron County sheriff said Patterson was moved from the Barron County Jail because one of Jayme’s relatives works at the facility.
Court records detail Patterson’s chilling confession to investigators last month when he admitted to targeting Jayme, killing her parents and holding her hostage for nearly 90 days at a cabin in Douglas County.
In a snowy downtown Barron, dozens of signs welcoming Jayme home haven’t come down nearly four weeks since Jayme escaped her abductor.
“It shows that we care,” said Kimberly Cook. “We are a small community and no matter what, we’ll come together.”
Cook is just one business owner joining in on the celebration by putting a sign that reads “Welcome home Jayme” in the front window of her hair salon.
“Everybody’s just so glad that she’s home with her family,” Cook said. “She saved herself and it’s amazing,”
Cook said she was compelled by a personal connection. Jayme’s mother Denise was Cook’s daughter’s Sunday school teacher at church.
“(Denise was) a very wonderful, wonderful person, just caring, (she) would do anything for anybody,” Cook said.
Jayme is now home with loved ones starting the healing process. Cook believes a big part of that will come with justice, something prosecutors will continue to seek in court on Wednesday.
