Court Watching: Billy Ray Patrick gets 2-10 years for shooting friend on W. Columbia Ave.

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Billy Ray Patrick, II, 22 of Belleville was sentenced to prison on Oct. 2 for shooting his friend in the cheek May 12 in the victim’s driveway on W. Columbia Avenue in a dispute over marijuana.
Patrick was sentenced to 2 to 10 years for assault to do great bodily harm less than murder plus a consecutive 2 years for felony firearm. He also was charged a $266 victim’s fee.
A plea bargain was worked out Sept. 4 by Patrick’s retained attorney Michael Vincent and Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Francesco Simone.
In May Patrick was charged with:
1. Assault with intent to murder,
2. Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder,
3. Assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), and
4. Weapons, felony firearm.
His bond was set at $500,000 or 10% and he had been held in the Wayne County Jail since his arrest. His sentence gave him credit of 144 days for time served.
When he was arraigned Patrick stood mute and pleas of not guilty were entered by the court.
On Sept. 4, Patrick accepted a plea deal that dismissed charges 1 and 3. He pled no contest to charges 2 and 4.
His sentence by Wayne County Circuit Court Thomas Cameron was effective Oct. 2 and will be consecutive to the mandatory 2 years for felony firearm.
Michigan Department of Correction records say his earliest release date is May 10, 2018 and maximum release of May 10, 2026.