Girl's Accused Kidnapper: 'I Don't Think Like a Serial Killer'

Jake Patterson says he'll plead guilty as a way to shield Jayme Closs from a trial
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 8, 2019 11:04 AM CST
Accused Girl's Kidnapper: 'I Don't Think Like a Serial Killer'
Jake Patterson appears for a brief hearing in Barron County Circuit Court in Barron, Wis., on Feb. 6, 2019.   (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

"The reason I did this is complicated." So writes the Wisconsin man awaiting trial in the October murders of James and Denise Closs and the kidnapping of their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme. Jake Patterson responded to questions sent by KARE11 reporter Lou Raguse with a letter of his own. One of the standout points: The man accused of abducting the teen after murdering her parents sounds angry at police for causing Jayme grief. "I tried to give [police] everything … so they didn't have to interview Jayme," he writes. "They did anyways and hurt her more for no reason." In fact, this seeming desire to avoid inflicting more pain on Jayme, who escaped Patterson's Gordon home after three months, is evident throughout the note, postmarked Feb. 28.

Patterson claims he'll plead guilty on March 27 to shield her from a trial, and has "huge amounts" of regret. He describes his motive as "complicated," without elaborating, though he said he was "really pissed" and acted "mostly on impulse. I don't think like a serial killer." Police have said Patterson chose Jayme after seeing her get on a school bus. "No one will believe or can even imagine how sorry I am for hurting Jayme this much," Patterson writes in the note. Printed on the back in large letters are the words, "I'm sorry Jayme." In smaller print: "For everything. I know it doesn't mean much." Read the full letter, part of which are redacted, here. (Jayme received $25,000, essentially for rescuing herself.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X