Expert Testifies Shots Fired By Patterson May Have Been Involuntary

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The defense rested today in the case against Christian M. Patterson, the man who stands accused of killing Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy Kurt B. Wyman, during a stand-off last June in the Town of Augusta. However, the prosecution decided to bring back more witnesses for rebuttal, after the defense's last expert witness testified that Patterson may have accidentally pulled the trigger after he was hit with non-lethal rubber bullets.

The expert also testified that the "Fight or Flight" instinct may have played a role in the defendant's weapon being fired and that he was under severe emotional distress at the time of the shooting. The prosecution then played what could be viewed as damaging phone conversations Patterson had with friends and family.

In the recordings he threatened his ex-girlfriend Shannon Secor and blamed her for the incident that led to the stand-off and the subsequent death of Wyman. Testimony revealed that he said that Secor drove him crazy for five months. He also blamed the police in some of the recording played in court today saying, "They shot me! Everything happened after that."

When asked why that would make the police responsible, he again said, "They shot me!" He was then told by the interviewer, "They thought you were suicidal." To which he replied in an agitated tone, "So they shoot me?! They shot me! They shot me three times. They shot me with bullets! You were not there, you can't say they know what happened. You were not there. They're dirty! They're dirty cops!"At one point, Patterson is also heard saying, "They tried to kill me. They tried to kill me." His emotional state at the time of the shoot out was described as angry and scared. He was angry that he was getting shot at by police.

Prosecutors also played the tape of Patterson boosting about the two fights he's had and how other prisoners would later apologize to him after an altercation, once they learned why he was incarcerated.

The expert also testified that Patterson life long attitude about authority and law enforcement played a role in his mental state and his decision to take aim and fire at officers. He said, "It's gotta be his way, or he's not letting go." In his mind set he can't be responsible. He has extreme difficulty admitting responsibility."

Testimony continues tomorrow morning in Oneida County Court.