Man pleads guilty to murder of South Mansfield mayor Play Video

Posted: Dec 1, 2009 10:51 AM
Updated: Dec 2, 2009 9:09 AM

  MANSFIELD -- A DeSoto Parish man pleaded guilty today and was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the 88-year-old mayor of the small town of South Mansfield, who was killed during a robbery at her home.

  Bobby Harris, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a plea agreement in which prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty in return for a life term without parole.

  Harris admitted killing Dessie Lee Patterson at her home on March 11, 2008.

  Patterson sold soda and snack items from her home. Prosecutors said Harris killed her during a robbery that netted just over $100. Investigators said he used the money to buy marijuana and beer.

  First elected in 1975, Patterson was the first black woman elected as a mayor in Louisiana.

 DeSoto District Attorney Richard Johnson said he met with Patterson's family two weeks ago and they agreed to the plea agreement. Their foremost concern, he said, was that Harris never get out of prison.

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