Jayme Closs suspect Jake Patterson's motivations will become clear, defense attorneys say

BARRON, Wis. – Defense attorneys for a Jake Patterson, accused of kidnapping Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs and fatally shooting her parents, say his motivations will become clear as the case progresses.

Investigators believe Jake Thomas Patterson broke into 13-year-old Jayme Closs’ home near Barron in October, killed her parents and abducted the girl. He’s accused of holding her in a remote cabin for nearly three months before she escaped last week.

According to court documents, he told detectives he spotted Jayme getting on a school bus one day and decided he would take her.

Richard Jones and Charlie Glynn are Patterson’s public defenders. They told the Associated Press on Wednesday that they know everyone wants to know why Jayme was abducted. Jones said “there will come a time in this proceeding when that question will be answered.”

They declined to comment on Patterson’s mental health.

Glynn said it appears Patterson is starting the case “behind the eight-ball” because of Patterson’s confession. Jones said investigators have compiled 30 banker’s boxes of evidence for the defense team to review, and that he’s not sure Patterson will get a fair trial in Wisconsin.

Glynn says he doesn’t know how Patterson will plead.