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Barron County (WQOW) – On Friday, six family members spoke.
Sue Ann Allard, Jayme's aunt, was the first to speak. She said that she fell to the ground and screamed when she heard the news.
"My life was torn apart and shattered," said Allard. "Jayme has lost everything."
The second person to speak was Lindsey Smith, Jayme's cousin. She called Jake Patterson "An extremely terrible person."
She asked the judge to give Patterson the maximum sentence.
Read: Details of Jake Patterson's criminal complaint
The third person to speak was Jayme's aunt, Jennifer Smith. She said that she had terrible nightmares and that she would not let Patterson destroy her family. She too asked for the maximum penalty.
Plus: Closs Removal, Chronology of Events
Jim Closs' sister, Kelley Engelhardt, struggled to overcome his emotions to spell his name.
"I still think I will wake up and it will be a bad dream," she said.
Related: Closs family promises to protect Jayme
Plus: Dispatcher details the moments of the 911 call
Then Chris Gramstrump, the family's ad litem lawyer, read a letter from Jayme Closs.
The letter said, "Last October, Jake Patterson took a lot of things." I felt safe at home. I loved my stuff and my room. He took me all that.
The letter went on to say that it was too difficult for Closs to go out in public, but said, "Some things Jake can not take from me, my freedom. I will always have my freedom and he will not have it.
Closs's letter ended by saying, "He stole my parents.
The state asked the judge to give Patterson life in jail.
Then, the state showed photos of James and Denise with Jayme on a whiteboard in the audience room. Patterson did not look up while describing the images.
Here is more of his letter:
"I loved my parents a lot and they loved me very much. They did everything to make me happy and protect me. He took them away from me forever. I felt safe at home and I loved my room and all my belongings. He took all that too. I do not even want to see my house or my belongings because of the memory of that night. My parents and my house were the most important things in my life. "
"I have to have an alarm in the house now so I can sleep. It's too difficult for me to go out in public. I'm scared and I'm worried
"There are things that Jake Patterson can never take. He can not take my freedom. I was more intelligent. I watched her routine and I took back my freedom. I will always have my freedom and he will not have it. Jake Patterson can never take my courage with both hands. He thought he could control me but he could not.
"I was brave and he was not there. He can never take away my spirit. He can never change me or take away who I am. He can not stop me from being happy and going forward with my life. I will continue to do great things in my life and he will not do it. Jake Patterson will never have any power over me. I have the feeling of having some power over him because I can tell the judge what, in my opinion, should happen to him. "
"For 88 days, he tried to rob me and he did not care who he hurt or killed. He should stay locked up forever.
The state said that Patterson should never have the opportunity to hurt or kill anyone again. They said that the impact of what he did will never go away.
The defense stated that if Patterson went to life without parole, he would not have access to the programs he needed in jail. They said Patterson took responsibility for his actions.
The defense stated that Patterson had accepted his death in prison and had not asked his defense to explore other options.
Patterson's legal team stated that prior to this crime, Patterson had never had any problems with the law. They said that it was not his lifestyle in the past.
Patterson's lawyer stated that Patterson had lived in social isolation all his life and had started to retire very early.
Jake Patterson spoke in court and said the following in tears.
"I would do absolutely anything to take back what I did. I would die I would do anything to bring them back. I am really sorry."
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