The suspect in the case where two Jennie-O Turkey Store employees were killed and their daughter was kidnapped waived his right to a preliminary hearing during a court appearance on February 6.
Jake Patterson is accused of killing James Closs and Denise Closs, who were employees at the Jennie-O Turkey Store facility in Barron, Wisconsin, and kidnapping of their daughter, Jayme Closs. The original alleged crimes took place on October 15, 2018. Jayme was allegedly held captive by Patterson about 70 miles from her home for about three months, before she escaped on January 10.
Patterson faces four charges, which include two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary, USA Today reported.
Appearing in the Barron County Circuit Court, Patterson told the judge that he understood he had a right to a hearing and that he did want to waive it. His next court date has been set for March 27.
Jayme is now safe and living with relatives.
Jennie-O Turkey Store and its parent company, Hormel Foods, had offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person responsible for the crimes. However, upon finding out the news that Jayme is now safe, the company decided to give that money directly to Jayme.
"First and foremost, Jennie-O Turkey Store is a family," Steve Lykken, Jennie-O Turkey Store president, said at the time. "Here in Barron our Jennie-O family is dealing with a very tragic situation. While we are still mourning the loss of longtime family members Jim and Denise, we are so thankful for Jayme's brave escape and that she is back in Barron. The company has expressed its wishes to donate the $25,000 to Jayme. Our hope is that a trust fund can be used for Jayme's needs today and in the future."
