Judge Blocks Cameras from Craig Patterson Murder Case Hearing

Cameras will be barred from the courtroom next week when prosecutors present part of the evidence they have against Craig Patterson, an Arlington County sheriff’s deputy charged with killing Alexandria resident Julian Dawkins in May in the city’s Lynhaven neighborhood, according to The Washington Post.

Judge Becky Moore turned down the requests of the Post and several TV stations to record next Tuesday’s preliminary hearing for Patterson, who is facing a first-degree murder charge.

Moore ruled that allowing cameras in the courtroom might tarnish the perceptions of the case for potential jurors and have a negative impact on witnesses.     

Moore previously allowed cameras in the courtroom for Patterson’s May 30 hearing, held the day after he was arrested in Spotsylvania County.

During those proceedings, Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel said witnesses heard Patterson arguing with Dawkins very early the morning of May 22 in the 100 block of Lynhaven Drive. Witnesses then saw Patterson, who was off-duty at the time, walk away from the argument, Sengel said, then return with his badge, gun and handcuffs.

Witnesses reported hearing one gunshot, Sengel said. Dawkins was found shot in the chest.

Patterson’s defense attorneys suggested he shot Dawkins in self-defense at a bond hearing earlier this month. He has been denied bond twice. 

Examiners found a knife folded closed in Dawkins’ pocket. Sengel said medical analysis determined Dawkins would have been unable to fold the knife and place it in his pocket after he was shot.

On Tuesday, Sengel criticized the request for cameras in the courtroom, according to The Alexandria Times.

“Broadcast of a preliminary hearing — unlike a trial — is going to present an entirely incomplete picture of what the case really is about,” he said. “…Whatever gets broadcasted is going to be picked apart by some talking heads. I think that creates the potential for prejudice.”

Dawkins, a 22-year-old shuttle driver for PBS NewsHour, was in the same third-grade class in 2000 as Kevin Shifflett, the victim of one of the most grisly crimes in the city’s history.