MICANOPY WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AFTER CLAIMING VICTIM FELL ON KNIFE
On Saturday, May 23, 2020, Detective Nicholas Sutliff of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit arrested 19-year-old Lillian Patterson (DOB: 12/02/2000) and charged her with Negligent Manslaughter.
On Friday, May 22, 2020, at approximately 9:11 in the evening, Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) responded to a home in the Micanopy area in reference to a patient experiencing cardiac arrest. When MCFR personnel arrived on scene they found an adult male, later identified as Xavier Collins (DOB: 6/26/2000), deceased in the home, along with Patterson and several small children. Initially, Patterson told MCFR personnel Collins had stumbled out of the bedroom and collapsed on the floor, becoming unresponsive. Patterson made no mention of any injuries, however Detective Brad Bartlett and an investigator from the Fifth Medical Examiner’s Office located a traumatic injury to the victim’s upper left chest. Patterson then claimed Collins had fallen onto a knife held by one the children in the home. During a third explanation of events, Patterson claimed both she and a small child were holding knives, and Collins fell onto one of the knives. Patterson was transported to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, where Detective Sutliff and Detective Bartlett interviewed her. During her interview, Patterson told detectives that earlier in the night she was approached by a 2-year-old child that was holding a steak knife, and she took the steak knife from the child. Patterson claims she held the knife in her right hand, while scrolling on her phone with her left. Patterson admitted to being right handed. Patterson says at some point in the evening, while she was still holding the knife, Collins entered the room and began “wrestling” with her. Patterson told detectives she pushed Collins off her with her left hand, causing the victim to fall onto the knife she was holding in her right hand. Patterson changed her statement multiple times regarding where she was holding the knife. Patterson also acknowledged she had multiple opportunities to relinquish the knife before, and during, the time the victim, Collins, was “wrestling” with her.
Patterson was arrested and charged with one count of Negligent Homicide, and was transported to the Marion County Jail. Patterson is awaiting her first appearance in court.
