Friday, July 21, 2000
Witness in fatal shooting recants
Says she didn't see suspect with gun
By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — A woman who had told police she saw Lewis Patterson with a gun just before a man was fatally shot backed away from that statement Thursday on the witness stand.
Lavender Jones testified in Hamilton Municipal Court that she did not see Mr. Patterson shoot anybody or carry a gun in the early morning of July 9.
Prosecutor Mary Dudley confronted her with a written statement she gave police the day of the fatal shooting of Donald Downard, 34, in the 1100 block of Beckett Street in Hamilton. The statement contradicted her testimony Thursday, Ms. Dudley said.
“It's been a long time since then,” Ms. Jones said. “I take medicine and drink all the time. Sometimes, I hallucinate.”
Judge John Rosmarin ruled there was still enough evidence to send the case to a Butler County grand jury.
He ordered that Mr. Patterson, 25, continue to be held without bond at the Butler County Jail.
Dr. Joseph Brandabur, Butler County deputy coroner, testified that Mr. Downard bled to death from two gunshot wounds to the head. Police have said they believe the shooting was drug-related.
In the statement taken by police, Ms. Jones said she saw Mr. Patterson with a gun and saw him approach a pickup truck on Beckett Street. She said she heard five gunshots and saw Mr. Patterson run into a house and lock the door.
Hamilton Police Detective Jim Calhoun testified that Ms. Jones did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she gave her statement to him.
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Witness in fatal shooting recants
