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Moral competency questioned for teen convicted of shooting Portsmouth cop

In court Tuesday, Patterson's defense attorneys presented a psychologist report that found Patterson incompetent to stand trial for separate robbery charges.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- Sentencing for the teen found guilty of shooting a Portsmouth police officer is continued, due to claims of incompetency.

Back in April, a jury found 16-year-old Will Patterson Jr. guilty of shooting Portsmouth Police officer Angelina Baaklini five times last fall.

In court Tuesday, Patterson’s defense attorneys presented a psychologist report that found Patterson incompetent to stand trial for separate robbery charges. His attorneys argued the finding should apply to the officer-involved shooting case.

In response to the defense’s argument, the Commonwealth’s Attorney said there are jailhouse tapes involving Patterson that challenge his claim of incompetence. Prosecutor Shaniqua Clark Nelson said the defense should have raised questions of Patterson’s competency prior to or during the trial, not during sentencing.

Patterson’s family members spoke out for the first time since the trial. They said they still have questions, like why Officer Angelina Baaklini’s body camera wasn’t activated the second she made contact with Patterson, prior to the shooting.

“That’s a slap in the face to us because as a trained officer of the law, you’re trained to do these things because you know what procedures you’re supposed to follow," said Patterson’s aunt, Melissa Williams.

Williams said Patterson is still mentally developing and argues he didn’t receive a fair trial.

“He doesn’t really understand this situation, it’s his first time being in this situation,” said Williams.

Portsmouth Fraternal Order of Police President Matt Crutcher said the notion of incompetency is absurd.

“We believe that this is just another ploy,” said Crutcher. “Now why he’s waiting until now, I don’t understand. We’re upset with it.”

Crutcher added that a re-trial would be devastating for Officer Baaklini.

“The court would be victimizing her again by making her go through another trial if that is indeed in what they are successful in achieving,” said Crutcher.

Patterson’s family said they have sympathy for Baaklini and what happened but hope things will work out in Patterson’s favor.

“He’s trying to, you know, keep his head up,” said Williams. “He’s 16.”

Patterson’s next court date is scheduled August 7.

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