Patterson case to be pursued as misdemeanor

Friday, July 3, 2009
By COREY NOLES Statesman Staff Writer

BLOOMFIELD-The case against a Bernie man accused of improper conduct with a young girl took a new twist recently.

Cletus Patterson, 36, while still facing charges of the unclassified felony of statutory sodomy in the second degree and the Class A misdemeanor of child molestation in the second degree, could see a change in that in the near future.

According to Stoddard County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rance Butler, he recently contacted Patterson's attorney and informed her that he would not be pursuing the aforementioned felony charge.

"I told his attorney that because of inconsistencies in the statements of the witnesses, it would be difficult to make a felony conviction," Butler said Thursday, adding that while the charge was not dropped he is looking at the case in a different light.

The charges will reportedly remain pending until the prosecution has time to review matters as to the proper disposition of the case.

Patterson was charged in connection with a March 6 incident that allegedly took place at his Bernie residence.

Six different accounts of what transpired at the Patterson residence on the night in question were told to Bernie Police Officer Roy A. Boyce. Although some accounts contradict others, the majority of the information supplied to the Bernie Police Department indicates that Patterson allegedly had sexual contact with a 15-year-old Bernie girl who was a guest at his residence that night.

No information was provided as to when a decision would be made regarding the case or whether or not the state will proceed with prosecution.

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I'm glad that the Prosecuting Attorney's office is making this decision. I have known Cletus Patterson for several years and I find it difficult to believe the things that he has been accused of.

Perhaps now these accusations can be forgotten and he can get on with his life.

-- Posted by lazyboy46 on Mon, Jul 6, 2009, at 3:59 PM