Balducci and Patterson's Pre-sentencing Letters: A Selection

With disgraced former tort lawyer Dick Scruggs due to plead guilty later today in a second bribery scheme, his last two co-defendants from the first trial are waiting to hear their sentence on Friday. MPB’s Sandra Knispel takes a look at the pre-sentencing letters written to the judge on behalf of former state auditor Steven Patterson and former New Albany lawyer Timothy Balducci.

Thirty-three people have written to U.S. District Senior Judge Neal Biggers on behalf of Steven Patterson, including four church leaders.
Reverend Fleming of the Good Shepherd Church of God in Christ in Pontotoc, where Patterson spoke as a guest is one of them.

“A man that can preach the gospel with the fervor and the enthusiasm I heard on that Sunday cannot be a criminal," Fleming reasoned. "Surely, whatever he did was not intentional and I know he meant no harm to anyone.”

Ronny Brown, sheriff of Adams County, told the judge Patterson is the man to turn to for political solutions. “His efforts on behalf of law enforcement reached such a level in the 1980s, the Sheriff’s Association made him an honorary member of our association. I do know that everyone must pay their price to society, but Steve is much more valuable to all of us if he is free," Sheriff Brown said.

Patterson even writes on his own behalf: “I do not offer this letter as an excuse for my complicity in the sordid affair before this court – even though the government itself acknowledges in my plea agreement that I was only a minor participant as compared to all the other defendants charged in the indictment." Patterson adds: "However, if I can accomplish nothing else with this letter, I hope to sincerely convey to you that I have learned from my absurdly stupid mistake and will never, ever involve myself in such conduct again.”

Another letter, this one handwritten, comes from Joe Hartfield, a 50-year old from Como.

“Three years ago I was homeless, penniless, seperated [sic] from my family and my wife. I did not have a job or much hope," Hartfield wrote. Then I met Steve and Debbie Patterson. They took me in to [sic] their home, fed me and gave me hope."

According to Hartfield, Mr. Patterson then bought a used trailer and put it on property he owns. Now, Hartfield writes, he’s got a job, his wife back and is drug and alcohol free, thanks to the Pattersons.

“Judge, this may not mean anything to you, but I wanted you to know what kind of man you are judging,"Hartfield writes. "He means everything to me.”

Andy Waller of Oxford wrote that none the defendants deserved to be let off the hook. "They didn't turn criminal because of poor education, low economic conditions or family history or drug addiction. [...] What led up to the bribery attempt was their manipulations and back room dealing," Waller wrote. "They don't deserve leniency."

Oddly, Patterson's certified public accountant for the past six years, Christopher D. Jones of Booneville, writes he fears "greatly for the safety and security of Steve's family if his punishment includes incarceration." [...] If Steve were to be absent from his family, they would suffer greatly. [...] "Steve is the only monetary provider to his family," Jones added. Sending Patterson to prison "will literally endanger their way of life."

Another, very personal letter came from Patterson's son, John Calvin Patterson of Oxford, for whom his father had been building up the law firm he co-owned with Balducci in New Albany.

"During this time I have witnessed my father change physically," Patterson's son wrote. "Because of the stress of this ordeal his hair is now nearly all gray, and it pains me to no end to watch him shaking nervously as he attempts to eat. [...] I worry for my father's health, both physical and mental. He is haunted every minute and every day by the guilt that threatens to devour him."

No one has written on behalf of Balducci, who represents himself, except for two people who asked the judge specifically to punish to fullest extent of the law. But that won’t hurt Balducci, said Donald Mason, associate director of the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law at the University of Mississippi.

“In most cases, not all cases, but in most cases – the contents of letters for or against a defendant are not going to meaningfully sway the decision of the sentencing court," Mason explained.

Balducci and Patterson will be sentenced on Friday the 13th. So far, none of the four defendants already sentenced – regardless of touching pre-sentencing letters written on their behalf -- has walked away with less than a prison term.

Sandra Knispel,
MPB News, Oxford