How investigators built the case against Patterson + Family member says he wouldn’t do it

Before arresting Andrew Jermain Patterson (AKA “AP”) and charging him with second degree murder in the May shooting death of Justin Ferrari at MLK and Cherry, investigators pieced together evidence from a variety of sources: Witnesses, cell phone location data, ORCA card data, King County Metro bus cameras and YouTube videos. If found guilty, he could face up to 23 years in prison, prosecutors say.

While AP sits behind bars on $2 million bail, a person claiming to be his cousin (she requested to stay anonymous) wrote to CDNews saying that she believes he would not have committed this crime. From her letter:

I have known Andrew his whole life. He is my cousin. As far back as I can remember he has always been a loving son and cousin. As a child he was a quiet, shy little boy that enjoyed playing with his brother, sister and friends. You know typical little boy things. As a teenager pretty much the same sweet kind boy. Hanging out with family. I have never seen my cousin mad upset, I’ve always seen a sweet bright young man, always polite to others around him. I have never seen anger or hate or vengeance in his eye’s or smiles. He is a loving father to his one-year-old daughter, always doing what’s best for her and his wife. He loves his parents and family just as much. He is a good man and I don’t believe in my heart that he did this.  And our family believes that he is not guilty of this crime. And I can say he loves being with his baby and wife.

The probable cause document filed along with the murder charges does not contain smoking gun evidence, but it does outline the extensive detective work that lead to the arrest. Police and prosecutors say several witnesses identified AP as the shooter, and cell phone and ORCA data puts him in the general area at the time.

The documents also outline some background on a group calling themselves “31 Racks,” which has been active on Cherry Street recently, police say.

Below are the documents (warning: the documents contain some graphic content). Keep in mind that we have yet to hear the defense’s case, and it is possible investigators have evidence that is not outlined here. His first court appearance is scheduled to be an 8:30 a.m. arraignment August 2 at King County Courthouse. If you have trouble reading the documents, see a pdf version here.

 

51 thoughts on “How investigators built the case against Patterson + Family member says he wouldn’t do it

  1. It’s reassuring to see the amount of detective work that went into IDing AP. For that, I give the SPD credit. It all makes for a compelling case.

    I live near the house on 31st where the two young brothers live. This house and these two guys have long been the focus of neighbors and police. Cops have made more than a few house calls.

    I live in fear that, someday, one of the kids in the neighborhood or one of my adult neighbors will become a victim of one of these two–or the unsavory characters, like AP, they attract.

    I will be diligent in keeping a close eye on my neighbors’ homes and the people walking the streets; and I won’t hesitate to call the police at the first hint of suspicious activity, which is pretty much what I’m doing now.

    Still, it’s frustrating that there is an endemic violence and disregard for the welfare of others in our neighborhood, and it’s caused by a very small number of chronically disenfranchised youth and young adults. Unless they find a way out of their situation, they’ll likely be joining AP in prison soon.

  2. It’s too bad that more of the identifying info regarding the witnesses wasn’t redacted. People who know them wouldn’t be hard pressed to figure out who is who. I imagine it discourages one talking to the police (in a hood where it’s already taboo) if you’re thrown under the bus with the public records release. For example, why isn’t the gender of the person in the deli redacted to make it harder for gang members to target her? Why weren’t the street names redacted? It’s the public disclosure department, not SPD cops, who redact this. I fear now for those who were brave enough to talk.

  3. It’s a public document, available from King County records with unredacted names. CDNews has redacted names of witnesses and those not charged with a crime per our policies when dealing with crime coverage.

  4. C’mon neighbors, screw this AP crap.. his name is Andrew Jermain Patterson: MURDERER. and the letter from his cousin? A kind and loving man does not have a record including gun possession and assault. I tip my hat to the SPD for their excelent work on this case.

  5. Tom – That’s even more awful. I’ve requested police reports (easy to do via email now) and they’ve usually been well redacted. I’m shocked this one wasn’t, for the reasons previously stated.

  6. This document was included in an article by one of the local news media, names were not blotted out at all. I think Tom and this site went the extra mile. :)

    I must say i am AMAZED at the details included and that the amount of work by the SPD should be recognized.

  7. When you’ve got no goodnik neighbors, don’t forget to take advantage of the bureaucracy.

    Code violations (overgrown lawns, junk cars, etc)? you can anonymously report them to DPD

    Rats in the yard? Too many pets? Barking dogs? King County Healh or the animal shelter

    Think they’re stealing power or water? Call SPU or City Light.

    Get them on the government’s radar, and let it grind them down.

  8. I just watched some of these music videos and King St. Market appears to be a place that is clearly allowing this activity. Throwing up gang signs and in one video an employee is featured. Lets crack down and shut them down. PERIOD!

  9. King St. Deli, while a craphole, has no control over what happens on the public street in front of it.

  10. While King St Deli may have no control over what happens in front of it, it is clearly a hub of bad vibes, now made worse by the proximity of this murder, not to mention these arrogant videos.

    Who owns it? It needs to go away. Is there anything we can do to transform that corner?

    Speaking of, I’m hoping the new doggy place opposite the deli will permanently house a few police canines who will be at the ready.

  11. That is a good stragegy Neighbor. Keep in mind you are likely to gring yourself down, but, you can always start up again. Chip away. Grind when you can.

  12. Arrogance is not a prosecutable crime. Nor is standing on the public street. Unless King St. Deli can be tied to supporting the 31 Racks gang, perhaps by selling booze to the underage, you cannot legally target them. Investigate if they are selling cheap, single portions of alcohol and to whom. (When I tried to have my local store investigated by liquor control they said “all the drug dealers standing on the corner alert people to Liquor Control by yelling ‘5-0’ so we can’t substantiate underage sales.” )

  13. If you look on youtube under KG’s 19’th G – Day Weekend March 2012 ( Central District 206 ) 31 RACKS you’ll see the video discussed, where the suspect is wearing the same outfit as seen on the bus video and reported at the crime scene.

  14. I am a huge fan of Grumbling, ratting out all the little possible violations made by my enemies. Call the cops everytime you see a deal going down, an altercation, report drunks getting in or out of the vechicles, public drunkeness, etc. Keep a target painted on the place. Eventually there will be a murder there and all your reports will be added in to the decision to shut it down.

    Plus you will have the I told you so thing going on.

  15. I know I’m going to regret getting involved in this conversation because I’m not a fan of the vitrol on this site, but I had to say it.
    I don’t think you can hold the owners of Kings Deli responsible for the actions of their customers. I have been in that store many times to buy the odd soda pop and the folks behind the counter have always been extremely friendly and helpful to me and my family. My opinion is that they are immigrants who are trying to make a go of it with a small business on a tough corner.

    I hope we save our energy and our outrage for ending this horrible violence.

  16. THIS IDEA OF REPORTING ALLEGED CRIMINALS TO THE KILLERS OF 13 YEAR OLD UNARMED MEANY JR HIGH STUDENT EDDIE LINCOLN (1958) , JUST RETURNED VIETNAM VETERAN LARRY WARD (1970 AT 24TH AND EAST UNION), AARON ROBERTS (2001 AT 23RD AND UNION,JOHN T. WILLIAMS (2011 AT BELMOUNT AND BORON)AND MANY OTHERS IN SEATTLE AND ACROSS AMERICA BY MEN AND WOMEN WITH BADGES AND GUNS; DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A SOLUTION TO SAD, SAD, SAD KILLING OF ONE PERSON BY ANOTHER? PLEASE SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? Omari Tahir

  17. Omari – Now you are promoting a “no snitch” policy??? Some community leader!

  18. I’m sorry, did you say something? It was all in caps, so I just ignored it. What?

  19. Well, if they haven’t done anything wrong then they won’t mind when we get all up in their &#^*.

  20. 30 seconds watching that video is all it takes to notice that black & red jackets & shoes are standard issue for this crew.

    My amateur read of the evidence is that SPD has convincingly placed AP at the scene. But the evidence is not as strong about putting the gun in AP’s hand. A bunch of witnesses saying “the shooter wore a black and red jacket and shoes” is not exactly conclusive when the scene was packed with people dressed that way.

    Impressive work so far by SPD detectives, but I hope they develop stronger evidence putting the gun in a specific person’s hand, whether he is AP or a different member of the crew.

  21. Just passed four police cars and several gangbangers on the ground In front of a infamous house on 18th just a few block south of trader Joe’s.

  22. I’d love to hear some specifics about how this business is facilitating crime, if that is the case. I’ve only been in there twice in 7 years so I can’t speak to any real knowledge of the place. Both times there were kids streaming in and out, buying candy and soda and some people buying beer and cigarettes who looked like the only good luck they’d seen in their lives had raced pell-mell away from them. Still, the owners seemed to be friendly and welcoming folks from the horn of Africa.

    If I had a convenience business I’m not sure how I’d turn away some folks and not others especially if I suspected those I’d like to turn away were young, impulsive and armed. I’d probably just sell them their cigarettes as quickly as possible and pray they go away.

    Perhaps that’s not what’s happening there so I’d like to know what other people who have experience of the place can say.

    If a business is facilitating crime it does deserve to be called out, but if it’s not and simply considered an eye-sore it doesn’t seem fair to advocate for a business being shut down unless there’s a good reason.

  23. Oh-oh. Better call DOJ. SPD was undoubtedly roughing up the neighborhood children for no reason.

  24. You are correct about that Aaron. We don’t want to go around convicting people for murder on strictly circumstantial evidence. Still it is very good police work so far.

    Also, this is why the entire community is responsible for this gang activity. When you see all the punks in gang attire know this – They support the shootings. They support the killing of Justin.

    I will offer no respect to the gang hero worship culture. No jobs. No hand outs. They get suspicion from me because that is what they deserve and ask for. SPD hard on a certain group? OK by me, they beg for it.

  25. I agree. You can only hold the store owners responsible for their own actions. If they are a hot spot because they sell alcohol to minors, for instance. Or if they sell cheap, fortified wine (do they still call it that?) and do nothing about people drinking it in front of the store out of a bag, then they contribute to the nastiness of that corner.

  26. I never allow credit to Seattle Weekly/Village Voice. While they do rarely come up with a decent story, any benefit they provide is grossly out weighed by their support for and profiteering from prostitution of young women enslaved by the BGD, Bloods, and other gangs. SW/VV via their Backpages.com prostitution sales makes millions of dollars, funds and hides gang activity. SW is the most disgusting publication in Seattle today. Anyone associated with SW should be arrested for slavery and conspiracy to solicit prostitution. SW is as much a part of the problem as 31 R.A.C.K.S. or the BGD. As the saying goes: “It takes a village to”. Well with Seattle Weekly/Village Voice as members of our village – see what we get. We must ban SW and BGD from the city.

  27. I have been reading about human trafficking especially the sexual slavery of deluded, addicted, abused and unfortunate young women and girls. I had also read that this was now connected to organized crime. I did not know it was connected to disorganized, can’t-shoot-for-a-damn, half-wit crime in our neighborhood.

    Thanks for the information, Grumbo. Will do some research.

  28. His jacket is described in great detail. It’s more than he was just wearing red and so doe everyone else. It’s a distinctive coat. There are other very specifically identifying characteristics, and eye witnesses.

  29. Responsible residents and business owners sweep the street. They keep their little stretch of the city clean and safe. (unlike say – the Tea Garden, they don’t know what a broom is. We’ve contacted them and they believe the city is responsible for cleaing the sidewalk and parking lot, so the ugliness continues).

    So do King’s or Parnell’s fit the model of a good neighbor? I don’t know King’s, but I can tell you I would never venture into Parnell’s. Not a responsible citizen. Not wanted. It’s time we expect more from our neighbors.

  30. I’ll talk to the business owners in the off-chance that they’re unaware of the perception and impact of the business. I’ll also refer them to this string so they can read it themselves.

  31. imseeee: Thank you. And ask them to just look at their business from across the street. It’s an eyesore than encourages blight. There are small, inexpensive things that one can do to change this. And the bars on the window or horrible. Impact film would do the same job without screaming “dangerous ghetto.” Block Watch coordinators will tell you the same, and have been saying that about bars for at least 30 years.

  32. Hello Gentle Men,I am the owner of King deli. I work and live in the neighorhood since 1998.I am part of the communty and part of the solutin, not part of the problem. My busines was affected by some group of people which stands outside and scare away my customers.Some of you may believe I am making money of this people.Not mentioning the risk of our secuiriy, those are a kind of groups spend 50 cents and pocket $15.00. SPD was not active enough utill the date of the shooting. I believe this is one of the reason that most of you are afraid to come to my store.The best way to solve the community problem is by getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and finding the solutions.Just do not victimize the victim, come see me, talk to me and tell me what is best for all of us.
    Thanks

  33. Thank you, King St. Deli owner. I have kids at Garfield and I’ve told them never to go in to your store. The gang bangers loitering outside are a danger to them. How about taking the bars off of your windows (SPD crime prevention can tell you about film that works just as well) so the place doesn’t look so ghetto, and posting a no loitering sign in front so the gang bangers move along? Thank you for having the courage to post here, neighbor.

  34. I second MrsD – thanks, King St Deli for joining the conversation and adding your perspective. This has become a good place for all of us who care about this community to share their thoughts on how to make things better. Welcome!

  35. This is the the owner of KIng’s deli again.Thank you for welcoming me, specialy second MRsD. I realy apreciate all coments. As some of you mentioned the metal bars the windows are ugly and gives the corner gheto look. I address this to the land lord and amd hopely we will find a way to replace them with a better design.

  36. Thanks for being part of the conversation and the community. When a business owner steps up and addresses our concerns we should consider supporting them with our business so they can afford to make the changes suggested.

  37. I stopped by King’s yesterday around 4:00. I hung out nearby for half an hour. There was a lot of drug dealing going on. People pulling up switching cars, driving away for a few minutes, coming back, jumping in somebody else’s car. People hanging around suspiciously, using the pay phone then catching short ride and coming right back to the pay phone.

    One huge step would be to get rid of the pay phone. Those are for crack drop schedulers. Next – have a white guy stand around if front of the place. That makes criminals nervous.

  38. Grumbo is spot on about the pay phone. The pay phones in front of 23rd and Union car wash and Med Mix were total magnets for bad guys.

  39. I’ll go by and let the owner know about the pay phone and that you’re volunteering to stand and make people nervous :)

    Thanks for going by, didn’t see that the three times I’ve gone by. Though, I’ve never hung around just got my soda and split but I believe you – timing is everything.

  40. My family has lived at 30th and Cherry for a year now and we are often in Kings Deli
    with our four children. I can tell you the owners are a good, honest, hard working family doing
    their best to serve a neighborhood with difficulties. My kids love to visit their store because
    the owners are always so kind to them and because they have the best
    chicken around! Two days after the tragic shooting I stopped by to see how they
    were holding up. They were devastated for Mr Ferrari’s family but also in the middle of proactively installing new
    external security cameras at their own expense. I see them sweeping their sidewalk and
    picking up garbage in the parking lot. I see them dealing with difficult customers with dignity.
    And I see their own children working on their homework after school under the watchful eye of their mother.
    This is a family and a business deserving of their neighbor’s support and patronage.

  41. Going about your business usually involves actively ignoring things you don’t want to be involved in. Like screening calls to avoid your mother and other annoying people like telemarketers. Like holding your breath when you walk past the stinky dumpster – your mind just takes care to not engage too much.

    Unfortunatley my mind is trained to look for trouble. I see it everywhere (and it is real, don’t go jumping on this). I remember my first month on patrol. The graveyard shift. After about a month of doing nothing I called my seargent for a meeting in the park. I said I hadn’t done anything at all and it seemed weird. He said give it time. In a few weeks you will see crime everywhere. 30 years later he is still right. I haven’t been a cop since 1987 but I see crime instantly. I start a new job and right away I know there is crime going on. I just sit back and wait for it to show. Then – there it is. Some petty embezzling, then some larger embezzling. A little skirting the law, A little fixing the records, A little fraud just to avoid some trouble, then again and again and again. It’s everywhere. I can only point it out now and then because nobody wants to beleive it and so many people have been letting it go for so long that they are a part of it. Change would be traumatic. So the crimes just go on. It’s happening in your office, your soccer team, your garbage company, the public works office, the planning department (especially), your elementary school, the school board, drunken teachers year after year, the pastor or his son.

    Sorry, it’s there every day. Now, the thing is, we don’t have to accept it. A little pressure here and there corrects people. Even perverts can often be kept in line if exposed and monitored. Let them slip off the radar for a while and Bam! They go off the rails. Gangsters – same thing. Keep an eye on them, push them a little and they will shrink back to being boys. Let them run loose, ignore them, – Bam! Another one bites the dust.

    You don’t want to see it everyday. But, it is there right in front of you. Only you can prevent our peice of the world from turning in to Mogadishu. Please just do a little bit once or twice a week to shed light on crime. You don’t have to be a famous whistle blower. Just look for an extra 20 seconds as the admin person rifles around in petty cash box. They’ll get the message.

  42. Hi –

    I did alert the owners about the phone. He said he’ll find out how to get it removed. He has talked to the landlord about the bars and they’re discussing how to keep the building secure and accomplish that.

    I second suzanneml, though, in my belief (although I don’t have her long experience) that the owner is good people. While I believe Grumbo’s observations to be correct, I also believe that voting with our feet and wallets and showing King’s Deli support may also help the owner generate a transition on that block. It isn’t enough to complain we do need to support those who are trying. And if the people coming in and out of that store begins to change that also may make start the drug traffic moving to a place they feel they can fully control.

    I don’t deny that I may not be street or crime-wise; I don’t have Grumbo’s experience. I’m just a neighbor but I do believe that small, sustained efforts of neighbors can bear far more fruit than one would guess.

  43. That is great to hear. I’ll stop by for some chicken. It’s a little out of my normal range. I’ve never actually noticed it before. Just stopped by to have a look at what people were saying. Good people often get surrounded by things partly beyond their full control.

    What might help is some regular folks just sitting on the seats out front, linger a little longer, look people in the eye, watch the cars. Good people will be glad you noticed. Creeps will try to bluff you with a glare, then they go away. They’re not going to shoot you unless you actively interupt their crimes.

    There is a myth in the white peoples world that you shouldn’t look black people in the eye. What a sad thing. How do you trust each other if you can’t even face each other? Don’t give in to myth and racism. Look at each other. It’s pretty simple.

  44. Hurts that non of you actually know Andrew yet label him as a terrible person . We, his family and friends know Andrew as a caring and loving young man . He has made mistakes in his pass but that should in no way target him as a “murder” he has yet to go to trial, what happened to innocent until proven guilty ?

  45. I for one won’t call Andrew a terrible person just yet, because you’re right, it’s for the jury, not me, to say whether he did what he’s accused of.

    But I don’t think there’s any denying that Andrew was there when somebody fired that gun and killed an innocent person in front of his own children and parents. If Andrew didn’t pull the trigger, he knows who did.

    And if Andrew is the decent person you say he is, he’ll step up and name the shooter so that he can answer for what he’s done.

  46. We are all very patiently just waiting to see what the trial bring regarding who killed Justin Ferrari. Very few have rushed to judgment of AP on this crime – unlike the widespread judgment of zimmerman pre-trial.

    Both Tom and I have advocated waiting to see the evidence in court. The evidence I have read is thin. I expect there will be more provided at trial. The jury will weigh that an I will accept their decision. – unlike the thousands that will go berserk when zimmerman is aquitted.

    Few have judged AP on this crime. However, Andrew Patterson is not a nice boy or a decent person. He is a known criminal and produced a video showing to us all that he belongs to a gang of thugs that has no respect for our society. Perhaps he cares about you. But he doesn’t care about me. He’s a rat in my book.