Man charged in deadly beating now Macon’s 38th homicide

MACON, Georgia (WMGT/41NBC) – The man accused of beating another man during a Father’s Day cook-out is now facing murder charges.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says it is now investigating Macon-Bibb’s 38th homicide.

Thirty-one year old James Patterson is now facing a murder charge in connection to the death of 55-year-old Jeffery Burke.

On June 17, 2018, Burke arrived at the hospital unconscious and could not speak with deputies. On June 19th, he later told deputies that he was a victim of an assault. Burke stated that he was at a “Father’s Day” cook out that was taking place at 330 Astor Street. And he told deputies that he was hit from behind and knocked unconscious and beaten.

Through the course of the investigation, 31-year-old James Christopher Patterson was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault. He was arrested on June 24, 2018 and bonded out of jail on August 31, 2018 on a $20,550 bond.

Burke was released from the hospital and passed away on September 9, 2018.

An autopsy was performed by the GBI Crime Lab and the results concluded, on December 12, 2018 that Burke died as a result of Homicide.

Members of the U.S. Marshal’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Patterson at an apartment, located in Gordon, Georgia.

Patterson is currently being held, without bond, for the charge of Murder.