'Horseplay' alleged in death

Matthew Wayne Patterson, right, turned himself in to authorities Thursday after being charged with reckless homicide in the death of Anthony Kent "Rooster" Marlin. Escorting Patterson to booking are, from left, Deputy Kevin Holton, Capt. Tony Barrett and Det. Sgt. Scott Jones.
(T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo]

Matthew Wayne Patterson, 25, was indicted Monday by the Bedford County grand jury on the charges in connection with the Aug. 26, 2009 death of 39-year-old Anthony Kent "Rooster" Marlin of Flat Creek.

Patterson turned himself in to authorities at the Bedford County Sheriff's Department Thursday afternoon.

He was freed on $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Circuit Court on Feb. 22.

Patterson's family retained the services of attorney John Norton on Wednesday, who told the T-G that his office has yet to begin investigating the case.

According to Det. Sgt. Scott Jones, a party took place at the residence of Phillip Powell on Dunaway Road on Aug. 25, "where there were quite a few people."

Jones said as the night went on, people began to leave the gathering, but some stayed into the early morning hours of the 26th, including Marlin, who the detective described as "messing around all night ... just having a good time, drinking and carrying on."

But Marlin and the others at the party apparently had too much to drink, Jones said, and "one thing led to another."

According to Jones, Marlin was in the back yard "dancing around, playing around and Patterson was there with him" and according to witnesses at the party, Marlin fell down and Patterson allegedly jumped on top of him and put Marlin in a headlock -- staying on him for 10 to 15 seconds.

"At that point, they (the witnesses) thought they were just playing, but then they realized he's (Marlin) not breathing," Jones explained.

The partygoers took Marlin to the patio of the home and dialed 911, with emergency medical personnel starting CPR on arrival, but Marlin was later pronounced dead at Heritage Medical Center.

An autopsy was ordered by sheriff's officials and after a wait of several months, medical examiner Dr. Bridget Evtenier ruled the death a homicide.

Cause of death was attributed to "blunt force trauma to the head and neck," Jones said.

Following this medical determination, Jones, Det. Sgt. Brian Farris and assistant district attorney Mike Randles visited Dr. Evtenier and went over the case with her in detail to learn exactly how Marlin died.

After that meeting, the case was directly presented to the Bedford County grand jury on Monday, which indicted Patterson on the charges.