The man accused of killing Jayme Closs’ parents before holding her hostage is due back in court Wednesday, when he will be asked to enter a plea.
Patterson told two Minneapolis TV stations that he plans to plead guilty and waive his right to a trial. Of course, he still has time to change his mind.
Patterson has already confessed to investigators that he allegedly killed Jayme’s parents in October before kidnapping and holding the 13-year-old hostage for nearly three months.
Earlier this month in a jailhouse letter to our Minneapolis sister station, KARE 11, he wrote that he plans to plead guilty to the crimes because he doesn’t want Jayme or her family to worry about a trial.
"No one will believe or can even imagine how sorry I am for hurting Jayme this much. Can't express it,” Patterson wrote.
He’ll be back in court Wednesday, when he will be asked for a plea.
"I just didn't wanna cause any more trouble, I guess,” he said.
In a phone interview with Minneapolis TV station WCCO, Patterson said he was in love with Jayme and explained what they did together in a Douglas County cabin where he allegedly kept her.
"We were just watching TV, playing board games, talking about stuff. We cooked a lot; everything we made was homemade,” Patterson told WCCO.
While Patterson wouldn’t say why he allegedly committed the crimes he’s charged with, he admits to having regrets.
Jayme’s family posted on a community Facebook on Tuesday, saying they’re hopeful Patterson enters a guilty plea.
“We hope that he does the right thing and ends the nightmare once and for all,” the post reads in part.
Patterson’s arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. TODAY’S TMJ4 reached out to Patterson’s attorneys to ask what they expect him to plead, but we haven’t heard back.
