Both sides close case in trial of Anthony Patterson

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story contains graphic details from proceedings in the trial of Anthony Patterson that involve alleged sex crimes against child victims. Discretion is advised before reading. If you know or suspect that any child under the age of 18 is being abused sexually, please call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 252-5400.

TARRANT COUNTY ( KFDX/KJTL ) — The final rebuttal witness took the stand and the defense closed its case Friday morning in the trial of Anthony Patterson, bringing the testimony phase of the trial to an end.

TIMELINE: The trafficking, child sex crimes case against Anthony Patterson

Former president of the Patterson Auto Group, Patterson, 48, of Wichita Falls , stands accused of multiple counts of human trafficking and child sex crimes.

Testimony began on Monday afternoon, November 4, 2024, in Auxiliary Trial Room A in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. A recap of prior proceedings can be found below:

Jury selected, stage set for Anthony Patterson's trial

Day 1: Testimony underway in Anthony Patterson's trial

Day 2: Alleged child victims, FBI agent take the stand

Day 3: Experts take the stand in Patterson's trial

Day 4: Details of the investigation into Patterson revealed

Day 5: Phone sex worker testifies in Patterson's trial

Day 6: Third alleged victim takes the stand in Patterson's trial

Day 7: Defense calls first witnesses on Patterson's behalf

Day 8: Defense expert in digital forensics testifies

Day 9: Defense rests, State closes after rebuttal witness

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the defense rested its case following the testimony of several experts. Outside of the jury's presence, Patterson invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not testify in his own defense.

READ MORE: The latest in the case against Anthony Patterson

The State of Texas, represented by Brooke Grona-Robb and John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, called a rebuttal witness before moving to close.

Patterson's defense team of Toby Shook, Michael Mowla, Kim Laseter, and Chuck Smith, have indicated they intend to call a rebuttal witness on Friday, after which they too will close the case. Proceedings are expected to conclude after the lone witness takes the stand on Friday morning.

On Monday, Nov. 18, the Tarrant County jury of eight men and four women will be read their charge by 78th District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy, instructing them on how they are to proceed with deliberations.

After the charge is read on Monday, the prosecution and the defense will both be given the opportunity to present closing arguments to the jury before they begin deliberating to determine whether Patterson is guilty of any combination of the 13 felony counts for which he is currently standing trial.

Below is a running live blog of opening arguments and testimony in Anthony Patterson's trial from Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Refresh this story often for updates.

John Gillespie, on behalf of the State of Texas, closed the case for the prosecution.

Toby Shook, on behalf of Anthony Patterson, closed the case for the defense.

Judge Kennedy released the witness from the stand.

— Coleman testified that Patterson could have avoided going to the check presentation at Patsy's House in May 2020. He testified that Patterson didn't tell him it wouldn't be a good idea for him to be at the check presentation because he was under investigation for human trafficking.

— Coleman testified that in 2020, Anthony Patterson was the vice president of the Patterson Auto Group and that by the end of that year, he owned a majority stake in the company. He testified that Anthony Patterson was a part of the senior leadership team that made the decisions regarding which organization to donate to.

Toby Shook, lead defense attorney for Patterson, passed the witness to John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, for cross-examination.

— Coleman testified that Harry Patterson, Anthony's father, was once named Wichitan of the Year as well. He testified that Harry Patterson was the founder of the Patterson Auto Group, which began in 1979, and he grew it into what it was.

— Coleman testified that he kept a spreadsheet containing records of community donations made by the Patterson Auto Group during his time with the company. He testified that the Patterson Auto Group donated $150,000 on average every year to Wichita Falls area nonprofits.

— A document containing agreement documents between the Patterson Auto Group and various community organizations, including Patsy's House, is admitted into evidence without objection.

— Coleman testified that Patterson Gives Back was formed as an initiative to donate to local nonprofit organizations. He testified that as a part of the agreement, a check would be presented. He testified that the final decision of which charities were donated to fell on Paul Tiggert, the former CEO of the Patterson Auto Group.

— Coleman testified that he formerly worked in Community Relations at the Patterson Auto Group. He testified that he was involved in several community organizations, and in 2018, he was named the Wichitan of the Year.

Judge Meredith Kennedy called the jury into the courtroom at around 9:20 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The defense called its final rebuttal witness, Darrell Coleman, a former employee at the Patterson Auto Group.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma's Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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