The man accused of fatally shooting one woman and injuring four others at the Northside Medical Midtown building in May 2023 is now competent to stand trial, his lawyer said in court Thursday.
Deion Duwane Patterson appeared in Fulton County Superior Court before Judge Eric Dunaway, who scheduled the trial to start June 1.
Dunaway said he’s prioritizing the case because Patterson, who pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated assault and other charges, has been in custody since the incident.
The judge acknowledged the trial could be postponed in part because of attorney schedules and the disruption the FIFA World Cup is expected to bring to downtown Atlanta this summer. The first of eight matches hosted by the city is June 15.
“As we get into July, it’s going to get more and more difficult,” Dunaway said in reference to the major sporting event. “At that point, we’re going to be pushing into August.”
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Patterson was previously found not competent to stand trial.
He is accused of shooting and killing Amy St. Pierre and wounding four other women after being turned away from a medical appointment he was late to. At the time, his mother told The Associated Press her son was having a “mental break.”
On Thursday, Patterson’s lawyer, Shawn Hoover, said his mental health has been evaluated by three different doctors who determined he is able to assist in his defense.
“He’s competent to stand trial,” Hoover told the judge. “The doctors are saying his memory is starting to come back more and more.”
Hoover and Fulton County prosecutor Thomas Griner said they’re waiting to receive some case-related information from Cobb County, where the defendant was taken into custody after an eight-hour manhunt following the shooting, but are otherwise ready to proceed with trial.
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Both Hoover and Griner asked the judge to start the trial at a later date. Hoover said he’ll be in another trial in Fulton County on June 1 and Griner said that date also doesn’t suit the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
The judge stuck with the June 1 trial date, though he noted it might have to be pushed back.
“If I don’t schedule it, nothing’s going to happen,” Dunaway said. “We’ve had Mr. Patterson’s case for a couple of years now. Ultimately, if we get to June 1 and we can’t get it done, we can’t get it done.”
Earlier in court, the judge had spoken to lawyers in an unrelated criminal case about scheduling remote hearings during the World Cup so they don’t have to fight congestion downtown to get to the courthouse.
“I’m really worried once the world comes to Atlanta it’s going to be very difficult to get into and around the courthouse,” Dunaway said. “As much as we can do virtually, the better.”
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Patterson was arrested May 3, 2023, after the extensive manhunt. He was indicted shortly after and remains in the Fulton County Jail.
Several lawsuits related to the shooting are pending in DeKalb County. They allege Northside Hospital and others are liable for failing to keep people safe inside their premises.
On the first anniversary of the shooting, Northside said it prays “for those who experienced loss and for the continuing recovery of those who were injured.”
“Our health care providers encounter challenging experiences every day, and they continue to demonstrate their remarkable ability to handle these situations,” Northside said in that statement. “In the past year, Northsiders have managed both emotions and heartache, while never losing focus on their jobs to care for patients.”
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