Uniontown man’s attorney requests mental evaluation in homicide case
The court-appointed attorney for a Uniontown man charged with killing a Brownsville man during a drug deal wants a mental evaluation for her client.
Last week, attorney Dianne H. Zerega filed a motion in Fayette County Court requesting the evaluation for Arsuan Lee Patterson, 19.
Patterson allegedly shot Jordan Mapstone, 24, once in the chest Feb. 26 outside a Dunlap Street residence in Uniontown. Mapstone was rushed to Uniontown Hospital, where he later died.
Police allege Keli Marie Brumley, 19, of Brownsville orchestrated the drug deal as a way to rob Trisa Stickle, Mapstone’s girlfriend.
Authorities said Patterson stuck a gun in the window at Stickle, who was driving, and demanded money. Mapstone, who was a passenger in the car, told Stickle to “just go” and as she started driving away, Patterson fired one shot, hitting Mapstone, police said.
Stickle drove to Uniontown Hospital, where Mapstone was rushed into surgery, but he died that night from a single gunshot wound that caused lethal injuries to both his lungs.
In her petition, Zerega stated that she spoke with Patterson’s mental health counselor, who expressed concerns regarding pre-arrest statements Patterson made.
After reviewing records and one prior mental evaluation, Zerega wrote that she believes it’s “necessary and essential” that Patterson is evaluated to determine his competency and his mental functioning level.
Zerega wrote in her petition that Patterson had learning and behavioral problems, and has received mental health treatment for most of his life.
She added in her petition that Patterson is without funds to pay for the evaluation and requested that the court direct Patterson to be evaluated.
A judge will make a decision on the petition.
Both Patterson and Brumley are lodged in Fayette County Prison without bond.