Guilty plea entered in murder trial

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – As her trial was set to begin, Chrystle Patrick, 31, entered guilty pleas to first degree murder and conspiracy July 23.
Circuit Judge Teresa Chaffin accepted the pleas and at the request of the defense and commonwealth took them under advisement until October 29. That is the date the court has set for sentencing in the case.
Chaffin stated on the record that she felt there was sufficient evidence for a finding of guilt in the matter but would withhold her finding until a presentence report was completed. Both Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Lee and Defense Attorney Greg Matney asked the court to withhold sentencing until after the Sept. 17 trial of Patrick’s co-defendant.
William Patrick Green, 26, was also indicted last August and he and Patrick were originally set to be tried together. Green’s Attorney Penny Nimmo of Cedar Bluff was successful in getting the trials separated.
Lee said Patrick could be called as a witness in the case against Green. Both defendants have been held in the Southwest Regional Jail in Tazewell since their arrest.   
Lee said there was no plea agreement and no agreement on sentencing. Both Lee and Matney said sentencing would be the only thing determined at the Oct. 29 hearing although both sides said they would call witnesses.
Witten’s family was in the courtroom for Patrick’s plea and Lee thanked and praised them for their courage and patience. He said the investigation, which took 16 months before an arrest was made, was extensive and in depth.
He praised the work of Detective Captain Kevin Bales and former Detective Paul Little as well as other officers involved in the case. First degree murder carries a potential life sentence.