Arlington Deputy Murder Case: Defense Says Victim May Have Been Dealing Drugs

By Drew Hansen

An attorney representing Craig Patterson, the Arlington County sheriff’s deputy facing murder charges in the shooting death of Alexandria resident Julian Dawkins, alleged Monday that Dawkins may have been using and dealing drugs, according to WUSA 9.

Patterson, who was indicted on murder and gun charges in August, was denied bond for a third time in Monday’s court hearing. A trial date was set for Dec. 9.

Megan Thomas, Patterson’s attorney, successfully argued for the release of all police reports concerning Dawkins. She said his connections with Alexandria police were the reason he was confrontational and possessive of his Lynhaven neighborhood, according to the WUSA 9 report.

"Dawkins has held himself out as someone who endorses or lives a lifestyle that includes access to and/or possession of guns, large amounts of cash, and material items as evidenced by pictures posted or reposted on his social media," the defense wrote.

Thomas argued that some items found on Dawkins’ body—$1,000 in cash and marijuana wrapping paper—are evidence of drug dealing, according to WUSA 9.

Dawkins, 22, was shot in the chest early in the morning of May 22 in Lynhaven. The T.C. Williams High School alum and shuttle driver for “PBS Newshour” was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Patterson, 44, was arrested and charged with murder in the incident on May 29 in Spotsylvania County. He has been placed on unpaid leave

During initial court proceedings on May 30, Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Sengel said witnesses heard Patterson and Dawkins arguing. Witnesses then saw Patterson, who was off-duty at the time, walk away from the argument, Sengel said, then return with his badge, gun and handcuffs.

Witnesses reported hearing one gunshot, Sengel said. Dawkins was found shot in the chest.

A witness for the defense testifying in August said Dawkins chased Patterson down the street before Patterson returned with his gun, according to the Washington Post. Patterson may have seen Dawkins with a knife and felt the young man was a “danger,” Patterson’s defense attorney said, according to the Post report.

The attorney also said Dawkins had a blood alcohol level of 0.15.

Examiners found a knife folded closed in Dawkins’ pocket. Sengel said in May that medical analysis determined Dawkins would not have been able to fold the knife and place it in his pocket after he was shot.

For more, check out:

• Judge Blocks Cameras from Craig Patterson Murder Case Hearing
• One Third-Grade Class, Two Homicide Victims 13 Years Apart
• Group Holds Justice For Julian Demonstration
• Dawkins' Death Ruled a Homicide