Defendant Pleads Guilty to Gun Offense Mid-Trial

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a career offender with a history of violence.  Walter Lee Patrick, 30, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Domestic Assault.  At the conclusion of the State’s proof at trial, he accepted a sentence of thirty years in prison consecutive to his parole sentence.

At trial in front of Judge Scott Green, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Franklin Ammons explained to the jury that on February 12, 2020, Ofc. Jeffrey Monroe with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call at a residence off Heiskell Road in Powell.  The victim stated that Patrick had threatened to shoot the victim’s vehicle the previous day with the handgun she knew he carried.  On this day, while in possession of a handgun, Patrick pushed the victim down the hallway of her residence and pushed her in a bathroom.  She was able to escape the bathroom and call 911.  Officers found Patrick’s handgun loaded with nine rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.  At the conclusion of the State’s proof and before closing arguments to the jury, Patrick pled guilty and received this thirty-year sentence consecutive to his parole violation.

“Violent offenders who carry firearms can expect to receive lengthy prison sentences,” said DA Charme Allen.

Patrick has eleven prior felony convictions from an offense in 2010.  Those convictions were five counts of Facilitation of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, one count of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping of a Minor, two counts of Aggravated Robbery, and one count each of Aggravated Burglary, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Facilitation of Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.  Additionally, Patrick has been identified by the Tennessee Department of Correction as a member of the Bloods gang.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Madison Keel aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.