Slaying of Kenyadda Patterson: 2nd-time killer gets 46 years in prison

“He leaves a string of misery and agony in his wake.”

Derrick Leon Harris was sentenced Thursday to at least 46 years in prison for the 2005 murder and sexual assault of a 31-year-old single mother.

It's the second time in 20 years that Harris has been imprisoned for murder in connection with the slaying of a woman.

Before sentencing Harris, Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell called it 'shocking' and 'appalling' that the 45-year- old Charlottean had served only five years in prison -- less than half his sentence -- for a 1987 murder.

'It's every parent's nightmare to lose a child -- particularly one who has been abused and murdered,' Caldwell said. Read more

[plankroad2003]

Too bad he didn't get the electric chair instead of 46 years.

[Had Enough]

5 years for murder? I guess he will be out to kill again in 2012. Mark your calendars! The NO justice system in our country is absolutely abhorrent.

[just 15]

Come on now 5 years !!!!! this is crazy !!heart goes out to this woman's family.

[Kelli Ciolino]

This animal, Harris, deserved the death penalty --not saving the county money by once again being allowed the opportunity to plead guilty, just as he did when he murdered my sister, Jennifer Haney, age 23 when he killed her with his bare hands, coldly discarding her naked body behind a school, and leaving a five year old boy motherless, and our family so devastated, we have never recovered. When does Jennifer and Kenyadda receive justice? Our families will never be able to be fully at peace as long as Derrick Leon Harris is allowed the one thing he took from two young women - life. SHAME ON NORTH CAROLINA. Maybe this time, at least he won't be allowed out on work release (FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR THEY SAID) in Charlotte -- doing roofing on houses, after only serving two years - which is what he was allowed after her killed my sister. Justice is dead, or so it would appear.

[Kelli Ciolino]

just 15 wrote:

Come on now 5 years !!!!! this is crazy !!heart goes out to this woman's family.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. He murdered my sister Jennifer, was headed to trial for the death penalty, but after deadline, he was allowed to please guilty, received 14 years, got out on work release after serving 2 years, and was released in 5 years. He was then able to work at a health facility, and also, from what I was told, received taxpayer money to take care of his brother. Derrick Leon Harris's family sat in court and made fun of Amy (nickname), laughed in my mom's grieving face, and at this point I must stop writing... I cannot believe he once again got out of going to trial, receiving a paltry 46 years for killing a 2nd young woman -- that we know of! Sadly, I was not even given notice or the opportunity to be in court when sentence was given this time. By the way, first time around, we, Jennifer's (Amy) family, were forced to leave Charlotte after he was sentenced for my sisters murder - we were treated more like the criminal. God help North Carolina if this is what you have to live with.

[plankroad2003]

I feel awful for both families that lost loved ones due to this creature. My only hope is that he is R*aped over and over in prison and dies a painful convulsive death.

[Weeklytoday]

I have read all of what you say about my father. I am also disappointed in his actions. He has always thought his two sons how to be men not to kill women. I do appologize for my father and i don't think that my family would sit in the faces of the young girls family and laugh. i am the oldest of the two childern and also live with his name as mine. i hurt not having my father around. The first time he was sentenced i cryed to sleep everynight as a young boy. in this world we all hurt.

[shame]

Kelli Ciolino wrote:

<quoted text>Thank you for your kind thoughts. He murdered my sister Jennifer, was headed to trial for the death penalty, but after deadline, he was allowed to please guilty, received 14 years, got out on work release after serving 2 years, and was released in 5 years. He was then able to work at a health facility, and also, from what I was told, received taxpayer money to take care of his brother. Derrick Leon Harris's family sat in court and made fun of Amy (nickname), laughed in my mom's grieving face, and at this point I must stop writing... I cannot believe he once again got out of going to trial, receiving a paltry 46 years for killing a 2nd young woman -- that we know of! Sadly, I was not even given notice or the opportunity to be in court when sentence was given this time. By the way, first time around, we, Jennifer's (Amy) family, were forced to leave Charlotte after he was sentenced for my sisters murder - we were treated more like the criminal. God help North Carolina if this is what you have to live with.

Hey neighbor. I'm sorry to hear about your. NC does have a crazy system in place...people are definitely sleeping at work. Unfortunately, it seems like that is the case everywhere. Everytime I watch the news in Charlotte an illegal is brought up. Nothing gets done with all the illegals, and for some reason they are more concerned with speeding (I wish they would drive fast). Maybe people need to put a greater emphasis on the people who are letting these criminals out. The sad thing is that criminals are born everyday, you just never know when something will happen to you or a loved one. Be cautious, observant and know your surroundings. I know in Media and West Chester life is good but you just never know....God Bless.