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THE PAPER December 8, 2010
Clerk’s office to fill full-time position Wabash County Commissioners, at their Dec. 6 meeting, approved the hire of a full-time deputy clerk of courts, to begin employment in January 2011. Elaine Martin, clerk of the courts – elect, requested to select an applicant from the pool of applications they received when the position was advertised in October, rather than taking new applications. The commissioners agreed. A concerned citizen took issue with recycling services provided at taxpayers’ expense. All property with a home or business would be assessed for the tax. The commissioners responded by explaining that the community has expressed that they want the service, and suggesting that concerns be presented at the Solid Waste Board Meeting, Dec. 13, 1:30 p.m., at the Solid Waste Office on Manchester Avenue.
In Memorium Joan Addington, 83 Meriam Bone, 71 Marjorie Deardorff, 94 Bernard Dekau Jr., 67 Richard Dyson, 81 Jack Hidy, 83 Alice Hunter, 86 Barbara Kuehne, 66 James Weiss, 64
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Family and friends speak at Pattison sentencing by Danielle Smith On Dec. 3, the sentencing hearing of Scott Pattison, convicted of murdering his wife, Lisa, began with Pattison’s attorney requesting a continuance. He explained that a motion for a mistrial had been filed, alleging that the jurors were prejudiced by experiments they were allowed to perform on the weight bench. He felt it was necessary for Judge McCallen to review the motion before sentencing. McCallen denied the request due to the fact that people had traveled from out-of-town for the sentencing hearing; he will review the motion for mistrial in the days after sentencing. Prosecutor William Hartley then invited Lisa’s family members and friends to speak. Leah Frazier, Lisa’s friend, was first to address Judge McCallen. Brian Smith, Lisa’s brother-in-law, read a letter addressed to Pattison from Dillon McCoy, Lisa’s son. “I fully expect a letter of apology from you to me and my family,” McCoy stated. He went on to suggest that Pattison do some soulsearching during his
time incarcerated. Lucy Rich, Lisa’s mother, spoke of her daughter’s positive attributes, saying that most men would have been proud to have Lisa by their side. The final speaker was Christine Smith, Lisa’s sister, who delivered an emotional speech. She discussed Lisa’s eternally optimistic attitude, saying that in every photo, even those taken during negative times, Lisa had a smile on her face. Smith then went on to address Pattison. She discussed his attempt to file for custody of McCoy in the days after Lisa’s death and his unwillingness to allow Lisa’s family to assist with funeral arrangements. She finished her list of Pattison’s wrongdoings by saying that the icing on the cake was that he removed jewelry from Lisa’s body after the funeral, prior to her burial. The earrings belonged to Smith and she intended for Lisa to be buried wearing them, this was not presented during the trial. Friends and family of Pattison addressed Judge McCallen next in an effort to highlight his positive qualities and changes made during
his incarceration thus far. Jim Tack attended Church of Christ at Treaty with Pattison. He discussed Pattison’s strong work ethic and willingness to help others. A pastor that has been visiting with Pattison on a regular basis shared his opinion of Pattison’s renewed interest in studying the Bible. A Pattison family friend expressed condolences to Lisa’s family, but reminded Judge McCallen that an extended prison sentence will not bring Lisa back. Pattison’s mother, Cloann Pattison, shared information about Pattison’s life. She explained that he had helped hold their family together after the death of his father by helping her operate their farm. She highlighted the fact that Pattison had built a thriving construction business by himself and has an extremely good work ethic. Hartley and Campbell, Pattison’s attorney, went on to highlight mitigating and aggravating circumstances surrounding the case. Ultimately, Judge McCallen determined that the only mitigating
factor was that Pattison had never been convicted of a crime prior to the murder conviction. He also determined that Pattison had betrayed Lisa’s marital trust, stat-
ing that she felt comfortable enough to live there so she must have had a level of trust in Pattison. Judge McCallen delivered a sentence of 60 years. Pattison was
granted 862 days of credit with a combination of time served and good behavior. Pattison plans to appeal the sentence, and his mistrial hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20.
Northfield reclaims County wrestling title
Index Classifieds............32-35 Community News..25,27-29 D & E ........................19 Sports Shorts ............20 Weekly Reports ....21-23 Vol. 33, No. 35
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
SCOTT PATTISON was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Lisa. She died of asphyxiation due to the pressure of a weight bar on her neck. Pattison is expected to appeal the ruling; a motion for mistrial has already been filed and is set for hearing on Dec. 20. (photo provided)
COUNTY CHAMPS: Tanner McCarty posts Braxton Gore’s wrist en route to a pin during the County wrestling championships held Dec. 4 at Northfield. McCarty went on to win the 160-pound championship with a 4-0 mark, while Northfield went on to capture the team title. (photo by Aaron Turner)
by Aaron Turner On Dec. 4, the Northfield Norse reclaimed the Wabash County tournament championship, ending Southwood’s three-year reign as champs. Both Southwood and Northfield owned a 2-0 record heading into the third-round showdown. Northfield built a 30-12 lead, and key wins down the stretch from Joeseph Ross, Cody Curless, Thomas Rockenbaugh and Hunter Wells secured the Norse win, 37-33. “We just came out ready to go today,” Northfield coach Gary Norman said. “I don’t know what it was, but we came out and wrestled as well this early in the season as I’ve seen in a while.” The feather in the cap was the crowning of seven individual champions for the Norse. With injury and the flu-bug, several wrestlers had to step up performances in bigger weight classes. The Norse were without former champion Dylan Poole, who missed two days of school last week with the flu, and Matt Shafer, who continues to battle injuries. “A lot of guys wrestled up, and maybe that was the motivation they needed,” Norman said. “I don’t think many expected us to beat Southwood with all the talent they have back, so (continued on page 5)