Fort Worth man claims self-defense in slaying of girlfriend’s ex-husband
FORT WORTH A 65-year-old Fort Worth man accused of killing his girlfriend’s former husband planned the killing long before he fired the fatal shot two years ago, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Defendant Johnny Lloyd Patton Jr. pleaded not guilty to a murder charge, and testimony in his trial began Tuesday.
In opening arguments, Patton’s attorney, Alex Tandy, told the jury that Patton killed private investigator Richard Slatkin, 66, in self-defense. Prosecutor Melinda Westmoreland said the killing in Benbrook on Oct. 1, 2013, was planned and fueled by jealousy and control.
The men’s domestic situation was worthy of a soap opera plot. Patton’s girlfriend and Slatkin’s ex-wife, Catherine Slatkin, is about 30 years younger than both men. She has one child fathered by Slatkin and one by Patton’s son. But at the time she was in a romantic relationship with Patton.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article45292665.html
