A judge has ruled a South Dakota man convicted of killing a toddler is not being wrongfully detained.
Joseph Patterson is serving a life sentence for the 2013 death of 2-year-old Tyrese Ruffin.
Ruffin was the son of a Sioux Falls woman and former Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson. He was found unresponsive at a Sioux Falls apartment after being under Patterson's care. Patterson was later found guilty of several charges, including second-degree murder.
Patterson requested habeas corpus claiming he received ineffective counsel. He also suggested new scientific evidence should be considered in the case.
Circuit court judge John Pekas rejected both claims, according to a press release from South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
“The Attorney General’s Office, local law enforcement, and local prosecutors continue to be vigilant in dealing with child homicide cases,” Jackley said. “We encourage parents and those entrusted with the care of children to report suspicious activity that may be harmful to children and to remember that all children are precious and need to be protected.”