Michigan Man Convicted in 2 Killings Gets 2nd Life Sentence

Michigan Man Convicted in 2 Killings Gets 2nd Life Sentence
Zachary Patten appears in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court in Kalamazoo, Mich. Patten, Patten has been sentenced to a second life sentence without parole for killing his ex-wife's husband, on June 21, 2019. (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP, File)

CENTREVILLE, Mich.—A Michigan man already serving life in prison for a woman’s killing has now been given a second life sentence without the chance of parole for the slaying of his ex-wife’s husband.

WOOD-TV reports that Zachary Patten received the additional punishment Friday. He was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges last month in the July 2017 death of Shane Richardson at a home in southwestern Michigan’s Florence Township.

Earlier on the same day, the Portage man killed Graciela Portillo-Esparza at a mobile home park in Kalamazoo County. The mother of four was shot after stepping between Patten and her brother, Oscar Portillo, who were arguing. Oscar Portillo at the time was the ex-boyfriend of Patten’s girlfriend.

Patten was arrested in South Bend, Indiana. He was found guilty of first-degree murder last year for Portillo-Esparza’s death.

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