By Craig Giammona
William Patterson, who lived at 118-36 153rd St. when he was arrested following the shooting and is also known as “White Boy,” was convicted in November on charges of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.The charges stemmed from an incident that unfolded outside a club near the corner of 109th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard in the early morning hours of May 31, 2002 when Patterson fatally shot James Thomas, 28, in the back, Brown said.Queens Supreme Court Judge Michael Aloise, who presided at the trial, sentenced Patterson Monday to 25 years to life in prison, Brown said.According to Brown, the 2002 incident began outside a bar when Patterson accused Thomas of stealing one of his guns. An argument ensued when Thomas denied Patterson's claim. Brown said Patterson then pulled a revolver and shot at Thomas' feet. Thomas fled toward the intersection of 109th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard and Patterson gave chase. Patterson then fatally shot Thomas in the back, Brown said.In the aftermath of the shooting, Patterson fled to South Carolina and was eventually apprehended by detectives from the 103rd Precinct, Brown said.Reach reporter Craig Giammona by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.By Craig GiammonaA 24-year-old Jamaica man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Monday following his conviction in the shooting death of a 28-year-old man outside a bar in South Jamaica in 2002, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.William Patterson, who lived at 118-36 153rd St. when he was arrested following the shooting and is also known as “White Boy,” was convicted in November on charges of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.The charges stemmed from an incident that unfolded outside a club near the corner of 109th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard in the early morning hours of May 31, 2002 when Patterson fatally shot James Thomas, 28, in the back, Brown said.Queens Supreme Court Judge Michael Aloise, who presided at the trial, sentenced Patterson Monday to 25 years to life in prison, Brown said.According to Brown, the 2002 incident began outside a bar when Patterson accused Thomas of stealing one of his guns. An argument ensued when Thomas denied Patterson's claim. Brown said Patterson then pulled a revolver and shot at Thomas' feet. Thomas fled toward the intersection of 109th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard and Patterson gave chase. Patterson then fatally shot Thomas in the back, Brown said.In the aftermath of the shooting, Patterson fled to South Carolina and was eventually apprehended by detectives from the 103rd Precinct, Brown said.Reach reporter Craig Giammona by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
