By Courtney Dentch
A Jamaica man convicted of the May 2001 rape of a 20-year-old woman was sentenced Monday to 50 years in prison as a repeat violent sex offender, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Kevin Patterson, 38, of 116-80 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. was found guilty last month of attacking a legal secretary and dragging her to the roof of a Jamaica building, where he choked and raped her before he fled with her clothes and pocketbook, Brown said in a statement.
DNA evidence matching samples collected from Patterson’s two previous rape convictions helped the prosecution win the case, Brown said.
“The defendant was apprehended as a result of the state’s DNA databank, which is an important forensic tool because it can provide irrefutable evidence of innocence or guilt,” he said. “In this instance, the defendant’s DNA proved his guilt of a terrible and violent crime and has ensured his imprisonment for the rest of his life.”
Patterson was convicted of rape, robbery, assault, coercion and sexual abuse in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens April 14, and Justice Stanley Katz sentenced him to a prison term of 50 years to life, Brown said.
According to trial testimony, Patterson accosted a 20-year-old legal secretary in the stairwell of her friend’s apartment building on 89th Avenue in Jamaica on May 15, 2001, Brown said. Patterson dragged the young woman up four flights of stairs to the roof, where he choked her until she lost consciousness. When she awoke, Patterson was raping her, Brown said.
Patterson ran off with her underwear, slacks and purse, the DA said.
DNA samples taken from the young woman’s sweater were matched to Patterson’s DNA profile in the state’s Convicted Offender databank, Brown said.
A jury of eight men and four women deliberated for an hour after a 1 1/2 week trial and returned a guilty verdict, Brown said.
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
