MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee teenager charged with killing his ex-girlfriend, as they sat outside her home, had his first court appearance Friday.
Marvin Patterson, 19, allegedly told police “he decided to point a gun” at Kiara Brown’s head, as they talked in her car. The 18-year-old died instantly.
Patterson cried, as his bail was set. If convicted, he faces more than 60 years in prison. His attorney says he has no criminal record.
Pattersonturned himself into police on Tuesday, 24 hours after Brown was found dead in the passenger seat of her white Audi that was abandoned in an alley near 98th and Carmen on the city’s north side. The driver’s side door was left open, and police say they found a gun under her body.
“It’s one of those moments that shows why young people, in my estimation, should not be in possession of firearms,” the man who set bail said. “Inexperience, and the inability to properly deal with your firearm.”
According to the criminal complaint, Patterson initially told investigators the gun was in the car’s cup holder and that Brown “picked it up, and while he was trying to take it away from her, it went off."
But later, police say he changed his story, telling them “he decided to point the gun at her head” and when he did “the gun went off.” He said “he did not intend to kill her” and “after shooting her, freaked out and drove the car into an alley.” He left her in the car and took off.
Brown’s family is now planning her funeral, instead of a party for her graduation from Vincent High School this June.
Brown’s mother says her daughter and Patterson - who graduated from Vincent High School last year - had broken-up a while ago, but had been back in touch recently. She says Patterson asked Brown to meet with him to talk. That talk turned deadly.
Grief counselors have been available at Vincent High School.
Brown’s funeral is Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of Chimes (13235 West Capitol Drive in Brookfield).
A visitation will be held the night before, Thursday, April 5, from 4-7 p.m. at Krause Funeral Home (9000 West Capitol Drive in Milwaukee).
More than $2,700 has been raised to help with Brown’s funeral expenses. You can contribute by visiting the GoFundMe page.
