Prosecutor drops attempted murder charge in plea deal

ASPEN – An El Jebel man pleaded guilty Monday to felony stalking as part of an agreement with prosecutors that includes the dismissal of one count of second-degree attempted murder.

Jamie Lee Patton, 24, and prosecutor Arnold Mordkin also agreed to a two-year deferred judgment, which means the felony will be erased from Patton’s record if he stays crime-free during that period of time.

“It’s horrible,” Patton said, when District Judge Gail Nichols asked him if he realized the consequences of having a felony. “It’s not something I want on my record.”

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Patton also must attend domestic-violence classes as part of his probation. Sentencing is set for March 19.

Mordkin, outside court, said he felt that the plea agreement was fair.

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“As a young man who essentially has no criminal record, I felt it was an appropriate disposition,” he said.

Mordkin initially had said he planned to charge Patton with attempted first-degree murder, stemming from a car chase he had with his ex-girlfriend on Dec. 15. But nearly three weeks after the arrest, on Jan. 6, Mordkin reduced the charge to second-degree attempted murder.

The charge came after police say Patton threw a wrench at his ex’s vehicle. And at one point, when a male passenger got out of the woman’s car, Patton tried to run him over, law enforcement alleged.

Mordkin had contended that the attempted-murder charge was supported by the male accuser’s claim that Patton’s Jeep Cherokee grazed him. The alleged incident started on Highway 82 near the airport before culminating on Red Mountain Road near Willoughby Road.

Patton also was charged with attempted first-degree assault, two menacing counts and two stalking offenses, which are all felonies. He also faced three misdemeanor charges: criminal mischief, harassment and driving under restraint.

All of the charges were dropped except for the stalking count.

Snowmass Village attorney Lawson Wills represents Patton.

rcarroll@aspentimes.com