From Tyler Block-Patton’s appeal:
On January 16, 2001, at 9:31 p.m., the Overland Park Police Department responded to a 911 call made by the defendant. She was inside her vehicle across the street from the residence she had shared with her husband, Ed Patton, Jr. She told officers that her husband had been sick with the flu and had wanted her to stay elsewhere. She stopped by the residence and entered through the garage, noticing debris and drawers thrown around and items scattered in the stairway. As she started up the stairs she heard a noise which scared her so she ran outside and called the police.
The responding officers entered the residence through the unlocked front door and noticed debris scattered throughout the house. Ed Patton’s body was discovered in an upstairs bedroom which was filled with the odor of a decaying body. He was lying on his back in bed with a blanket up to his neck, and his arms were down to his sides. A second blood-soaked blanket was placed over his head, the headboard was splattered with blood, and a piece of his skull was lying up against the blanket. The victim’s face was so bloody and swollen that it was unidentifiable.
Dr. Michel Handler conducted the autopsy and testified that the victim had been struck at least eight times in the face and skull and did not have any defensive injuries on his hands and arms to indicate that he was awake during the attack. Four small pieces of dark wood were found in his hair and face, which were later identified as part of a bloody 2-by-4 piece of wood found on the back porch of the residence. He ruled the cause of death a homicide and opined that the victim had been dead for at least 48 hours prior to discovery. Pathologist Dr. Thomas Bennett reviewed the autopsy report, photographs, interviews, and investigative reports and opined that the victim died either the late evening of January 14 or the early morning hours of January 15, 2001.
Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the basement of the home. Evidence technician Andy Black opined that the extent of drugs discovered was consistent with personal use rather than someone involved in the sale of drugs. Officers discovered a pill bottle in back of the residence near a gate containing six different types of medication and three empty pill bottles inside the residence in the trash.
The defendant was interviewed by Detective Bobby Jo Hohnholt on January 17, 2001. The detective testified over objection that the defendant had recent cuts on her hands during this interview. Initially, the defendant told the detective that she cut herself while sanding cabinets but later said the cuts were from razor blades during a failed suicide attempt. At trial, the defendant said the cuts were from razors and screwdrivers she used while remodeling cabinets.
During this interview, the defendant characterized her relationship in a positive manner, indicating that the victim was the best man ever, that he had her on a pedestal, that she received anything she wanted, and that their marriage only got better over time. However, a January 2, 2001, tape-recorded argument between the defendant and the victim was discovered in the residence that indicated otherwise.
During the recorded argument, the victim indicated he thought the defendant wanted to commit suicide, and the defendant then said that she did not love him and wanted to end the relationship, that she was unhappy with their current residence and the amount of money the victim made, and that she planned to immediately move to a second home they had recently purchased. At trial, the defendant claimed for the first time that this fight was precipitated by her observing the victim using cocaine and that the tape recording was turned on well into the fight. The defendant moved to the new house on January 3, 2001, taking most of the contents of the marital residence with her.
The defendant told the detective that on Monday, January 15, 2001, she stayed home to work on remodeling her new house because it was a holiday. The victim called her at about 10 a.m. saying that he missed her and wished they could be together. She went shopping at Name Brand Clothing or Home Depot but made no purchases. She then drove by the victim’s residence but did not stop. At trial, she said that she stopped by the residence to pick up some articles and put clothes in the dryer. The victim told her not to bother him for a few days because he was sick and wanted to get well, and he asked her to take care of the real estate calls as they came in. She purchased a microwave at Sears at 5:27 p.m. that day, went to Walmart, and arrived home at her new house after 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, January 16, 2001, the defendant met with an employee of Drywall Basements to get an estimate on basement repairs around 10 a.m. and then drove by the victim’s house on her way to a bank. The time on her bank receipt was 12:56 p.m. She went to a library and printing shop, although she did not have a receipt from either place. She purchased keys from a lock and key store at 1:36 p.m. She went to Lowe’s but made no purchases there either, and she went to Burlington Coat Factory to purchase a pair of work jeans at 3:50 p.m.
She met with her visiting parents at their hotel between 4:30 and 5 p.m. The defendant and her parents subsequently drove to her new residence, passing the victim’s residence on the way. Although the defendant thought it was unusual that the house appeared dark, she did not stop. Her parents stayed for about an hour, and then the defendant went to Home Depot to buy several items so she would have an excuse to stop by the victim’s home. The receipt showed the transaction took place at 8:39 p.m. After being told that the 911 call was placed at 9:27 p.m., she could not recall whether she went straight to the victim’s home or stopped at her new home first. At trial, she remembered that she had run back into Home Depot to look at other items. She left the victim nine voice mail messages throughout the day the victim’s body was found.
Greed led wife to kill husband, jurors told
Widow found guilty of murder husband
Woman convicted of killing husband (2nd story)
State of Kansas v Tyler Block Patton 2005
Movies/Documentaries
Happily Never After: On the Market for Murder
INMATE INFORMATION
BLOCK-PATTON, TYLER A, (KDOC # 0075049)
Name(s)
Name Type Name
Conviction BLOCK-PATTON, TYLER A
True BLOCK, TYLER ANN
Alias BERHART, TYLER A
Alias BLOCK, TYLER A
Alias BLOCK, PHYLLIS A
Alias HOUSTON, TYLER A
Alias PATTON, TYLER ANN
Alias WALSH, TYLER A
Birthdate(s)
Birthdate Type Birthdate Age
True May 24, 1950 64
Demographics
Eye Color Blue
Hair Color Brown
Height 5′-5″
Weight 128
Gender Female
Race White
Current Status reported by Dept. of Corrections
Earliest Possible Release Date (1) Jul 05, 2026
Current Status Incarcerated
Admission Date Jul 02, 2002
Current Location (2) Topeka CF-Central
Custody Level Low Medium
(1) This date could be affected by a parole board decision or good time and/or program credit.
(2) Click on Location for the Facility web site.
Conviction(s)
County Johnson
Case Number (I) 01CR1606
Offense Date Jan 15, 2001
Sentencing Date Jun 14, 2002
ACS N/A
Criminal Conviction Description Murder in the First Degree
Counts 1
Crime Severity Level Off Grid
Case Status (II) Active
(I) If Number includes JV : Extended juvenile jurisdiction adjudications with adult prison sentences stayed, then imposed.
KDOC Physical Location History
Location Movement Date Movement Reason
Topeka CF-Central Apr 04, 2013 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Mar 26, 2013 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Sep 26, 2011 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Sep 22, 2011 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Oct 27, 2010 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Oct 27, 2010 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Mar 23, 2009 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Mar 23, 2009 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Nov 20, 2008 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Nov 20, 2008 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Jan 31, 2008 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Jan 31, 2008 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Nov 02, 2007 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Nov 01, 2007 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Aug 24, 2007 Returned From Court Appearance
Johnson County Aug 24, 2007 Released For Court Appearance
Topeka CF-Central Jul 02, 2002 New Court Commitment
KDOC Disciplinary Report(s) since January 1996
Date Class Location Type of report
Oct 20, 2002 1 Topeka Correctional Facility – Central Dangerous Contraband
