Editor's note: Your ProbateShark believes this crime takes place against the elderly on a regular basis to wards "protected" by the Probate Court of Cook County and nobody is ever punished. Just ask the families of Sykes, Tyler, Gore, Trask and Cefalu. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Posted: Thursday, March 10, 2016 10:15 pm
EDINBURG — Monica Patterson, former Hidalgo County Pct. 2 Commissioner Hector Palacios’ daughter, went before a state district judge Thursday and pleaded not guilty to capital murder and charges of theft and misappropriation of funds from her previous employer.
Patterson was arrested in August and formally charged by a justice of the peace in connection to the death by asphyxiation of 96-year-old Martin Knell. She stands accused of hiring Angel Mario Garza, 37, in January 2015 to kill Knell in his home.
On Jan. 28, Garza and Patterson are accused of going into Knell’s home in the 38000 block of Ellis Drive, threatening his caretaker and causing his death, documents show. Knell’s caretaker was an employee with the Comfort House hospice, where Patterson was the director.
Garza told investigators Patterson promised him part of Knell’s estate if he assisted with the alleged murder. A grand jury found enough evidence to prosecute Patterson and Garza of capital murder.
Patterson is also accused of misusing more than $102,500 from the nonprofit for shopping, trips to Las Vegas, rental cars, hotels, dining out, personal bills and to pay for her son’s graduation party, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Patterson was indicted in February of remuneration, theft of a non-profit, misapplication by fiduciary and attempted theft charges.
If found guilty of capital murder, Patterson and Garza face life in prison or the death penalty. Patterson’s next court hearing is scheduled for April 4. Garza, who has not been arraigned before a state district judge, is scheduled to appear in court March 21.
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