Uniontown man pleads guilty to third-degree murder in robbery killing
A Uniontown man pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and was sentenced Tuesday for killing a man during a robbery staged as a drug deal.
Arsuan Lee Patterson, 20, was sentenced to 22½ to 45 years behind bars in the Feb. 26, 2017, death of Jordan Mapstone, 24, of Brownsville. Patterson shot Mapstone once in the chest outside a Dunlap Street home in Uniontown. Police alleged another woman orchestrated the drug deal as a way to rob Mapstone’s girlfriend, Trisa Stickle.
Patterson told Fayette County President Judge John F. Wagner Jr. that he was paranoid and high on the anti-anxiety medication Xanax at the time, and didn’t know what he was doing.
Mapstone’s mother, Jennifer Mapstone, tearfully read a statement to Patterson, saying her life will never be the same. Mapstone had three children, who miss him every day, along with siblings and other family members, she said. She held up a picture of her son, saying the closest she can now get to him is by looking at his picture or visiting his grave side. She said her son was “full of life.”
“I won’t wish you dead,” she said to Patterson. “I won’t wish that on anyone. Because just like my Jordan, you are someone’s son.”
Police said that Patterson, who Stickle did not know, came to her car when she and Mapstone showed up to buy drugs from Keli Brumley, 21, of Brownsville. Brumley, who was also charged in the case, allegedly set up the two to be robbed.
Patterson, police said, came to their car with a gun and demanded Mapstone and Stickle give him their money. When Stickle tried to drive off, Patterson shot Mapstone.
Mapstone died at Uniontown Hospital.
Patterson was diagnosed with a mental health disorder at age 5, his attorney, Dianne Zerega, told Wagner. She said he is prescribed medication, but was not taking it at the time of the shooting.
Patterson called the incident “a weird situation.” He apologized to Mapstone’s family, saying he knows being under the influence of drugs was not an excuse for his actions.
“I know an apology is not enough, but it’s the best I can do,” he said before turning toward his family.
“To my mom and my family,” he paused as he composed himself, “I’m sorry.”
Before sentencing Patterson, Wagner said too many lives across the country are ended and impacted due to drugs and violence, including family members of the victim and defendant sitting on opposite sides of his courtroom.
“I can clearly see the problem, but I don’t know what the answer is,” he said.
He acknowledged Patterson’s apology to Mapstone’s family, saying many defendants refuse to speak or take responsibility at their sentencings.
“That doesn’t help you a whole lot, I know,” he said to Mapstone’s family. “You lost your son.”
Brumley, who is facing charges of criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit robbery and reckless endangerment, is scheduled for trial in September.
In addition to third-degree murder, Patterson also pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, reckless endangerment, prohibited possession of a firearm and aggravated and simple assault.