Man charged with Swamp Car Wash murder withdraws his plea, will go to trial
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eugene Javon Patrick, 24, has withdrawn his manslaughter plea in the shooting death of Bobby Bernard Hopkins, Jr., at the Swamp Car Wash on May 22, 2021.
Patrick, who is charged with second-degree murder, entered a plea of nolo contendere to manslaughter, a lesser included offense with a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison, on April 13. The plea deal stated that the parties had agreed to a sentence of 15 years in state prison, with credit for 682 days time served, and Judge James Colaw was scheduled to sentence Patrick on April 24.
However, Patrick withdrew his plea today and requested that the case move forward to trial. During the brief hearing, Judge Colaw accepted Patrick’s request and placed the case back on the trial docket. If convicted, Patrick could serve 25 years to life in prison.
Wish him luck. If it’s as his proponents have claimed, the evidence presented will hopefully exonerate him.
That’s what makes our judicial system, for the most part, the envy of the world.
Hope they make an example out this punk. You want to do the crime be prepared to do some time. Enjoy prison!
Good luck. Case seems pretty air tight video/witness ID). Even mamma said he was involved. Maybe he needs to go to prison for a while since he is facing street justice on the outside. At least in prison that hairdo will go.
Your right about it being air tight the video/witnesses are playing in (Patricks) favor not hopkins it shows where Patrick was being attacked by hopkins when he was only there trying to get his car washed and what the fuck does his hairdo have to do with anything
Why do you care so much about someone’s hair? Lol
Because it’s trashy.
He will regret it he should took 15 and ran with it with good behavior and gain time plus 600days already had he would have been out in 8 years now he is going to be a lifer
He must be making friends in the local jail.
I suspect he’s hoping for a sympathetic juror who understands the violent hood culture and is sensitive to their “snitches get stitches” creed.
He looks like someone has been using his head for a toilet. Too bad they did not flush it.
He’s going for self-defense/stand your ground. Good luck! He was at the car wash, and the victim came up behind him and gave him a bear hug of sorts, but allegedly said “where’s my money?”, to which they tussled for a minute and then he shot the guy. I don’t think he was justified in using deadly force. Guess it depends upon how effective his attorney is….
Didn’t do it. Lawyer screwed me!!!