Arlington — Arlington's Deputy Sheriff Craig Patterson lost another bid to be released this week. His murder trial will start Dec. 9 in Alexandria Circuit Court.
The 17-year sworn officer with an unblemished record, according to the Arlington Sheriff’s Office, is charged in the May shooting death of Alexandrian Julian Dawkins.
Retired Chief Ciruit Court Judge William D. Hamblen of Prince William County was assigned to the case by Virginia's Supreme Court.
On Monday, Sept. 9, Hamblen denied a second bond motion by Patterson's attorneys, noting he had already ruled on the deputy's custody status. He is being confined in the William D. Truesdale Detention Center of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office.
Hamblem said it was proper to proceed with the trial speedily.
He also granted defense counsels Megan Thomas, Joseph King and Christopher Leibig access to all reports of the victim’s previous encounters with Alexandria police.
Patterson was jogging late at night in the Lynhaven neighborhood when he exchanged words with Dawkins, 22. A second meeting led to the shooting death. Patterson said he was threatened with a knife.
He telephoned the incident to his department which called the Alexandria police. He was not arrested until a week later.
The deputy is claiming self-defense in the shooting. Information was given the court that Dawkins was intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .16.
At Monday's hearing, Dawkins family members and witnesses were present.
Patterson was unshackled for the hearing but dressed in the Alexandria jail green jumpsuit. He did not speak, allowing his attorneys to do so.
Commonwealth's Attorney S. Randolph Sengel, who retires from the office on Dec. 31, is prosecuting the murder charges. He, too, is anxious to proceed with the trial and agreed to provide Patterson's defense with evidence.
Dawkins was employed by WETA at the time of his death.
Because the victim was a nephew to Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins, Virginia's Supreme Court selected Hamblen for the jury trial.