Knifeman who murdered journalist has his sentence cut for the SECOND time
THE family of a journalist murdered by a teenager after he accidentally stepped into the path of his bike have told of their anger at learning the killer’s sentence is to be cut for a second time.
Timothy Smith, 40, was stabbed to death by Rickell Patterson, then 16, in 2007.
He was waiting for a bus home in Nottingham when he stepped backwards to read a timetable and into the path of Patterson’s BMX.
Patterson denied murder – saying he acted in self defence and had armed himself with the 7cm kitchen knife because he feared being robbed by a gang.
But he was sentenced to life and ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years after being convicted of murder.
In 2008, it was reduced to 12 years on appeal for his good behaviour in prison.
Now Patterson has won another cut to his minimum term after a senior judge ruled he has made ‘exceptional progress’. It means he could be released later this year.
Mr Smith’s family only learnt of the latest hearing when contacted by the Daily Mail.
His brother Chris, 53, said: ‘I had no idea about this. I am completely shocked.
‘I was supposed to be kept informed but I think the authorities have deliberately kept this a secret from the family. When you kill somebody it’s supposed to be a life sentence, and life should mean life.
‘Patterson has not learnt anything, these people are masters at playing the system.
‘They wreck people’s lives and he’ll do it again ... I thought I had two more years to prepare for his release, I am just in total shock.’ After freelance journalist and former court reporter Mr Smith stumbled in Patterson’s way, the teenager slapped him around the face before stabbing him in the resulting scuffle. Mr Smith died from a single stab wound that punctured his lung.
Patterson fled the scene, disposed of the knife and changed his clothes but handed himself in the next day.
When his minimum term was cut for the first time – ‘due to good character, good behaviour ... and for the fact that he gave himself up’ – Mr Smith’s mother June said it was a ‘gross miscarriage of justice’.
She added that the reasons were ‘ludicrous and insulting’.
But at the hearing last week, Mr Justice Langstaff said Patterson, now 27, had demonstrated further progress through his work as a ‘listener, mentor and equalities representative’. The judge said: ‘Nothing I say ... will reduce the seriousness of the murder he committed.
‘However what I have to do is consider whether during his period in custody the applicant has demonstrated exceptional and unforeseen progress.
‘It is clear in my view from the evidence that his progress has resulted in a significant alteration in his maturity and outlook ... and a significant reduction in the level of risk posed to public safety.’ He recommended Patterson’s tariff be reduced by nine months, which means he will be eligible to apply for parole in the summer.