Sword and Scale - Episode 150

Episode Date: November 10, 2019

Around 1 A.M. on October 15th, 2018, Barron County Sheriff’s Department receives a 911 call. What sounds to be a struggle and screaming on the other end of the line triggers deputies to drive to the home which the number was registered to. Upon arrival, deputies found 56-year-old James Closs and his wife, 46-year-old Denise deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Quickly, they find out that the Closs’ 13-year-old daughter was missing from the house. Despite all of the searches, rumors and theories, it wouldn’t be until 88 days later when 13-year-old Jayme Closs wandered down a road 70 miles away from her home, finding a Good Samaritan who recognized the young girl and was able to notify law enforcement. But who was it that took her? And why did they kill her parents? It was a story that shocked the nation and showed that strangers are capable of anything… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sword and Scale contains adult themes and violence and is not intended for all audiences Listener discretion is advised That was sunny 911 hi, I have I am lady at my house right now and she has says her name is Jimmy cloth Jimmy Claw. Hello and welcome to season 6 and the 150th episode of Sword and Scale, a show that reveals at the horse monsters are real. Well, we hope you've had a wonderful and especially safe Halloween. It's that time of the year where everyone embraces and celebrates the darkness out there. Definitely one of our favorite holidays, of course. And in the spirit of that, we have some big news coming next week.

A new podcast, which we've been working on now for a while. Actually, it's not just a new podcast. If you're a Sword and Scale fan, it's the one podcast you absolutely must subscribe to this year. You're going to lose your fricking minds when you find out what we're doing. Trust me on that. And you will hear it here first.

Sometime the next week, you will hear a trailer and several of the first episodes right here on this feed. We'll tell you how to subscribe to this MUST subscribe podcast then. But for now, we have an absolutely incredible episode for you. Our 150th. Can you believe that Sword and Scale will soon be six years old? I can't.

It's still insane to me that I do this for a living. In any case, stay tuned because we have a routine. Shut the television or computer off. Put our phones or tablets on the charger. Make sure the lights are out and lock the doors around the home. Maybe even activate our ADT security alarm. We do certain things right before bed for comfort, and certain things to ensure are safety

throughout the night. But how much of this safety is an illusion? Is that deadbolt lock truly enough? It's the one thing we depend on to keep the bad people out, a piece of metal secured by a wooden doorframe meant to act as a safeguard against the evil out there. The truth is out there in the shadows of the night is where our worst fears live, and they aren't the monsters from your childhood, the ones that lived under the bed or in the dark closet.

They are made of the same thing we are. Flesh and blood, and bone and a mind infected by sickness, which could have been festering, uninterrupted for years. Those locks are nothing but a child's security blanket in the harshest of blizzards. For someone intent on causing harm, there will always be a way in. No deadbolt in the world can stop the ingenuity of a real monster, with no conscience and little regard for their own well-being. If another human being out there wants to hurt you, they can, and they will, and there is nothing you can do to stop them. During the early afternoon of January 10, 2019, Jeannie Nutter was out for a walk with her

dog on a rural road near the small town of Gordon, Wisconsin. It was like any other day for the retired social worker. As Jeannie arrived back to her driveway, she noticed a young girl walking towards her. I was at the end of my driveway, and then I saw a young woman who appeared to be in distress. She was probably about 10 or 12 feet from me saying, I need help.

All I knew was whoever this child is, she's in trouble. It was 19 or 20 degrees outside, and she only had a sweatshirt on, and maybe some black leggings, and I thought she was in her slippers. So I figured she'd left wherever she had been in a hurry, a lot of things went through my head. At first sight, Jeannie wasn't sure what to do.

She knew she needed to get help for the girl, but had no idea who the girl was, and she hadn't seen her in the area prior to that day. But as Jeannie neared the young girl, it became quite apparent who she was. A 13-year-old who had made national headlines. A 13-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly three months. A 13-year-old girl whose parents had been found murdered. At the same time, she had gone missing. So I quickened my pace and got to her and she just sort of fell into me and said, I'm

Jamie and I said, I know. Did you recognize her right away? Right away because her pictures are everywhere. Then my CPS child protection brain really just clicked in. And I knew what was going through my head is, OK, I know your circumstances, I know what happened to you. I know the person you're with is potentially dangerous. My only responsibility is to get you to a safe place.

Quickly, Jeannie ushered Jamie to a nearby neighbor's house where she called 911. Douglas County 911. Hi. I have a young lady at my house right now and she has a designated Jamie Claw. Okay, what's your address? It's in Gordon, Wisconsin. Okay, have you seen her photo, ma'am? Yes, it is her. I am 100% thinking it's her. I need to, Wisconsin. OK, have you seen her photo, ma'am? Yes, it is her.

I am 100% think it is her. I need to OK. 100%. Does that look like she's going to run? No, she's now in she's relaxing. OK, did she show up walking? Yeah, a neighbor just walked up with her to our house and asked us to come on one one.

OK, hang on just a second. Are you close to me to blanket or anything? Do you need anything to drink or water or anything? OK. While Jeannie's neighbor, Kristen Kasinkus, was on the phone with the dispatcher, she took a moment to check on Jeannie and make sure she was okay, and to see if there was anything the young girl may have needed. In the months that this girl had been missing, many theories and rumors circulated throughout the nation, regarding what may have happened during the early morning hours of October 15, 2018, when she was found to be missing from her family home. Some speculated that she was probably dead, while others thought she ran off with some

boy. But what was the truth? What had happened over the course of those 88 days that she was missing? How did this young 13-year-old girl end up over 70 miles away from her home? In the rural town of Barron, Wisconsin, roughly 1,000 people inhabit the area. The town rests just on the outskirts of the city of Barron, which can be quite confusing as both the town and the city hold the same name. On the evening of October 14, 2018, the Klaus family had been winding down for the night. For 56-year-old James and his wife, 46-year-old Denise, it was just another routine Sunday evening.

Their daughter, Jamie, was in bed, ready for school the next morning. The lights went out in the home. The doors were locked, but there was something in the shadows, something watching and waiting. Just a few hours later, at 12.53am, during the early morning hours of the 15th, a car pulled into the driveway of the Klaus family home. James awoke and looked out of a bedroom window and saw what appeared to be a man in a ski mask and a black coat armed with a pump action shotgun. Both Denise and Jamie awoke

at roughly the same time. There was a bang at the front door followed by a man yelling, open the fucking door! Both Denise and James locked themselves in a bathroom while James went to the front door. Using a flashlight, he shined the light on the man outside the home and asked whoever it was to show their badge. The man clad in black and disguised by a ski mask fired around through the front door, killing James almost instantly. Denise used her cell phone to call Baron County 911. While the call itself is pretty unintelligible, you can hear the sheer panic from both Denise and Jamie.

And at the end of the call you can hear as the perpetrator inside their home begins loading another shell into the shotgun. After the call was disconnected, dispatcher attempted to call back and received no answer. Deputies were sent to respond to check for any disturbance. Just four minutes after the phone call from Denise Claus came in, Baron County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home to find James and Denise, dead, and young Jamie missing. On October 16, Baron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald

and the FBI held a press conference in regards to the murder and kidnapping investigation. Jamie has been described to those who know her as a sweet and shy 13-year-old who enjoys dancing in sports. She has been missing for a day and a half and our community is concerned for her safety. Often, someone in the community will have knowledge about a crime and may not realize it. Individuals who commit acts of violence may display changes in their behavior and individuals around that person may observe those changes.

They will recognize the changes and may even question the people about it, but we not realize those changes are the person's involvement in a crime. And walk us through that. One call, why it was unusual. What about it? What's unusual? That night, when one call, why it was unusual. What about it? What's unusual? That night when one call. The 911 call was given that night from the residents

on a cell phone, but no contact was made with somebody that was on the other line. And that's what's unusual about that 911 call. There was no one communicating with our dispatcher. The word help. Did you hear that? Did the dispatcher hear that? I don't know that if I don't know if the word help was said, that the dispatcher here that I don't know that if I

don't know if the word help was said I can't comment on that I don't know if that was said but there was some kind of disturbance going on and that's why law enforcement was sent to the house. What about the Miami tip are you are you actively searching at the timing it would seem wouldn't add up but I'm wondering what your office is. We're actively researching that tip but what I'm telling you is I'm the face of information. If it's something you guys need to know about it'll come on from me. It'll come from our Facebook page. It'll come from the FBI Twitter account. That's what I'm saying is every tip

continues to be followed up on. And if it's something that we need to get out to you, that we're looking for something, we will get that information that will come directly from me out to you. So I guess that's my comment on that and we continue to follow up on every tip that comes in. The community rallied together in support of the Clause family and in hopes of finding Jamie alive. The FBI put out a $25,000 award for anyone who had information that would lead to the safer turn of the young girl. Many businesses have gone to these kind of lengths printing off what they could about her and her disappearance in order to keep

around people's minds. Well today as you mentioned they got a big boost with flyers like these from the FBI that are just starting to make their way around town. One business owner telling me tonight posting these are the least they can do. People are very scared. If this was my child, even if it was my niece or nephew or a grandchild, I would be out every day. I know I would be. And we will never stop looking for you. Your family and friends miss you so much. Over the next month that Jamie had been missing and both of her parents found murdered,

Baron County Sheriff's Department and FBI continued to keep the community updated in their search. And while the community itself was still reeling from what happened, it was the class family who was hurting the most. As time continued to pass, there were still so many unknowns, even for investigators. The confusing part about this case is we don't have any leads at this time on what really took place at that house.

I can tell you that there was two victims at the residence. Gunshots are involved. I'm not ready to rule how they died at this time. To see start the mother and father of Jamie. We've searched the area around the residence to make sure she didn't just run outside and go into the woods and we've used drones, we've used infrared, we've searched like I said an area around there, we've searched the school, we've met with her friends. The case itself made national headlines and gripped many online communities.

Some of these threads and forums questioned if rumors that Jamie had a 19-year-old boyfriend were true, while some others believed her to be dead, based on the length of time that had passed by. It wouldn't be until 88 days after her disappearance that she would turn up like a ghost on a road just 70 miles from where she'd been taken. But who was behind all of this? This savagery. Who would want her parents dead and her to be abducted from her home?

Was it someone in the class family? Was it someone the class family knew or a complete stranger in the night? As the young, disheveled 13 year old girl was sitting on the Kassinko's family couch, the dispatcher began asking questions as to if Jamie may have known the name of her abductor. So, I don't, Jamie, do you know when he's gonna come back?

She thought he was going to come back home in the gym. And he said, she's going to come back in the college room. Who's going to come back? What is his name is? Jake Patterson. Jake Thomas Patterson, she says, in Tenga. And apparently, he's going to come back home in a couple of days. And he's going to come back home in a couple of days.

And he said, he killed my parents. I want to go home, help me. And what was that? And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he killed my parents.

And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And he said, he killed my parents. And She said, you killed my parents. I want to go home, help me. And what was the male thing? Jake, over Jake. Jake Patterson? Jake Patterson. 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson.

Who was this individual? And why did he murder James and Denise Claus before abducting Jamie? When police arrived at the Casinca's home their first course of action was to get Jamie out of the area for her own safety. She was taken to a local hospital to be checked out, but during the ride there she was taken to a local hospital to be checked out, but during the ride there, she was able to give a description of Jake's vehicle, only minutes after their departure from the casincus,

Jake Patterson drove by the home and noticed the high police activity. He thought he would be able to just drive right on past, but a deputy quickly noticed his car matching the description and made a traffic stop. Jake got out of the car and said, I did it. He then relinquished himself into custody. Welcome. Good morning and thank you for being here on this amazing day. For 88 days I have stood before you and said,

we would work tirelessly to bring Jamie Klaus home. Today, I can report we have done just that. At this moment, Jamie is being in the comforting embrace of law enforcement as the investigation in her three month ordeal ensues. 88 days ago, we stood before you speaking about the unthinkable tragedy and asked you to

help us find 13-year-old Jamie Klaus. For 88 days, you called in tips, brought us food, searched arm and arm with us, wrote us notes and never gave up hope. As the days and weeks were on, you still continue to call. Law enforcement locally and across the country continued to comb through over 3500 tips and the family never gave up hope. Last night, our collective promise was fulfilled with Jamie's Safe Recovery.

Thank you to all. I mean, it was first unreal and is it true? And then when we confirmed with Sheriff Dolbeck's team that confirmed it was her, my legs started to shake, man. It was awesome. It was just this dress and relief. I mean, it was just, it was awesome. I don't have a different word. I mean, it's just fabulous. It was just great. I don't know. I mean, my wife and kids are here, so I have to be careful. But it was pretty, it ranks right up there.

I'll tell you that. And it was awesome to call Diane to tell the DA to talk to these guys that have been, they're just not cops. They're part of this community. When special agents are just in TallahMail said, we're a part of this community, when Brian O'Keefe's guys come up and they've been part of this community, they've been part of it for eight days.

For the agencies who had been handling the investigation from the very beginning, the news of Jamie's safer turn and apprehension of a suspect was overwhelmingly powerful. The news of Jake's arrest was unbelievable for his father, Patrick, who wanted to take the time to think not of his son, but the victims in the terrible tragedy. and saw her hearts are broken for their family. Um, peri-side for everything that has happened. I would like to thank federal, state, and local authorities

for their, um, professional and, um, respectful manner that they have treated me and my family. When the time came for Jamie to be released into her family's care, everyone stepped up to the plate to ensure she was surrounded by love. I still feel a little in shock. I just want to go over there every day to my mom's house and see Jamie. My mom has, her heart has been just broken since Jamie was gone. And now I told her I said, I get my mom back. You are happy again.

You are. It's just the best thing I've ever seen. Right now, the first step is surrounding her by love, making sure she's safe, she feels safe. She's known pretty well. I was, I spent the afternoon there yesterday. We had her smile and laugh and going through things in her room. While Jamie's relatives were doing what they could to make sure the young girl was taken

care of, Jake Patterson was in between a jail cell and an interrogation room, providing answers to the many questions that not only the investigators had, but the answers to the questions most of America had. The biggest question, of course, being why. Jake opened up fully to investigators and told them everything that had happened from the night of the murders and kidnapping up until his arrest. Some of the details within the complaint are quite graphic. According to the criminal complaint against Jake Patterson, just a few weeks prior to the murders in kidnapping,

he had started a job at Sepudo Cheese Factory, a massive operation that processes 11 billion liters of milk into a variety of cheeses. On the second and last day of his employment at the cheese factory, he had been driving to work when he stopped behind a school bus. He watched as Jamie walked from her driveway and ascended onto the bus. It was then that he knew he wanted to take her.

It was just like that. He spotted her and made his decision. Now think about that for just a moment. Imagine how many interactions you have on a daily basis with strangers. How many interactions your children may have inadvertently with strangers. The idea that just being spotted out in public, minding your own business, is enough to make you a target, is terrifying. After quitting his job later that day, Jake drove to a nearby Walmart and purchased a ski mask to conceal his identity. According to Jake, a week prior to actually killing Jamie's parents and taking her, he

had driven to her house with the intention of just abducting her. But when he arrived, there were so many cars parked outside the house that it scared him off. So he waited, and he waited, and he planned. On the evening of October 14th, he drove to Barron from his home in Gordon. Prior to his drive down, he had taken his father's Mossberg shotgun and some shotgun shells out of the family home, where he had wiped them down with gloves to remove any fingerprints or DNA. He then went to his bathroom and shaved off all his facial hair, as well as all the hair

on his head in order not to leave traces in the class household. Upon arriving at their home around 12.50 a.m., he pulled into the driveway and killed the engine so he could coast quietly up to the house. You got out and walked up to the sidewalk leading to the family porch. As Jake got up to the porch, you notice that James was standing next to a window by the front door with a flashlight. According to Jake, he yelled for James to get on the ground, and when James asked to see his badge, Jake raised the shotgun towards James head and pulled the trigger, watching as the shot hit the man, spraying blood, skull fragments, and brain matter.

Jake then took a shot at the doorknob and deadbolt area, before using his shoulder to break the door open. When he got inside, he looked down and was able to tell James was dead from the head trauma. He then walked throughout the house, not able to find anyone until he came to a closed door in the hallway, not far from where James' body lay. The door was locked, and it took him close to 15 attempts

at shouldering the door before he busted inside. After searching the bathroom, he located Denise Bearhug hugging Jamie in the bathtub. Jake instructed Jamie's mother to place duct tape on the young girl's mouth and assistant binding her wrists and ankles. When the young girl was taped and bound, Jake placed her on the ground, picked up his shotgun, and fired at Denise's head because he, quote, knew that headshots were the best way to kill a person."

Investigators described in the complaint that when they arrived and found Denise, the base of her skull was laying in the bathtub next to her body. Jake began pulling Jamie through the house, occasionally slipping in the blood pooling from James' mortal wound. He loaded her into the trunk of his car and departed down the road. But as they began traveling, Jake noticed police lights coming towards him. He pulled off to the side of the road, letting the responding deputies pass before continuing. According to Jake, had the sheriff's deputies arrived at the home just 20 seconds earlier,

he would have been caught immediately at the Kloss Residence. In the criminal complaint, much of the information provided came from when Jamie was interviewed by investigators. They had learned everything that had happened over the course of the 88 days that she had been missing. According to Jamie, when she was placed in the trunk of the car, she believed she had been there for over two hours before coming to a stop. When they arrived at Jake's cabin in Gordon, he instructed her to take off her clothes so

he could get rid of any DNA evidence and then provided her with his sister's pajamas. Over the next three months, she was to sleep under Jake's bed, in which he'd placed plastic totes and laundry baskets with weights so that she was unable to get out. When Jake's friends or relatives would come over, she would be forced under the bed for anywhere up to 12 hours with no food, water, or bathroom breaks. It wasn't until January 10th, when Jake told her he would be gone for the day, that she decided to make a break for it and escape. She managed to push the weights away enough for her to squeeze out and leave the house,

where she ultimately found Jeanne Nutter, just getting back to her own cabin after walking her dog. While jailed and awaiting his day in court to give a plea, Jake began corresponding with a news anchor, and answered questions that had been sent to him. The letter begins by saying, Lou, hi, I don't know if I'll actually send this. I'll answer some of your questions, some I can't.

I won't put a lot of details anyways. There are some sections that are scribbled out, and at the bottom, Jake Patterson writes, that means, self-redaction. My first question of Patterson was, why did you confess when you were caught, and why did you confess in such detail? His answer, I knew when I was caught, which I thought would happen a lot sooner, I wouldn't

fight anything. I tried to give them everything, wasn't completely honest, so they didn't have to interview Jamie. They did anyways, and hurt her more for no reason. My next question, what is your plan now? Plead guilty or take the case all the way to trial? His answer, plead guilty. I want Jamie and her relatives to know that.

Don't want them to worry about a trial. Was actually going to on the sixth, which was Patterson's last court hearing, but in a case like this, it's not really allowed, so the judge moved it to the 27th of March. What led you to want to kidnap a girl in the first place? His answer, it's not black and white. I asked, do you have any remorse or regrets

for the things that you did? His answer, huge amounts. A section is scribbled out, then I can't believe I did this. What was your long-term plan if Jamie had not escaped that day? Won't say, it was really stupid, though, looking back. Did you confide in anyone or leave any hints that people failed to pick up on? He answers, no.

And more words are scribbled out. Then I asked, did your family really have no clue? How often were family members in your cabin and how close did they come to discovering Jamie under the bed? The answer? No one knew. My dad only came on Saturdays the same time every day, so it was a routine. Jamie hides on Saturday. My family respects privacy, so

no one even went in my room. I asked, did you ever return to Baron after the crime, or insert yourself in any of the vigils, or anything being held in Jamie's honor? Did you ever get close to her family following the shootings in kidnapping? He answers, I stayed away from Baron. How closely did he follow the news coverage? It was Jamie aware of the news coverage and the extent to which people were searching for her. His answer, I followed it through my phone. If something popped up on TV about it, I would change the channel. And would tell Jamie, I'm sorry, I can't watch this.

Despite all the hell that Jake Patterson had put this young woman through, he told his attorney that he wanted to plead guilty to all the crimes. No deal needed. Just accept responsibility for the crimes he'd committed. He claimed he didn't want the class family or Jamie to have to relive all the events that had occurred all over again in trial. So on March 27th, 2019, he did cause the death of James M. Claus with intent to kill that person. Contra, section 940.01 sub 1 sub A, and 939.50 sub 3 sub A of the Wisconsin Statutes.

A class A felony, and upon conviction shall be sentenced to imprisonment of life. How do you plead to that charge? Ylty. Count two charges as follows. On or about Monday, October 15, 2018, in Barron County, Wisconsin, you did cause a death of Denise J. Claus with intent to kill that person. Contrary to section 940.01, sub 1 sub A and 939.5050 sub 3 sub a of the Wisconsin statutes a class a felony and upon conviction shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life. How do you plead to that charge? Thank you. And count three.

You were charged with honor about October 15, 2018 in Bairn County, Wisconsin. By force or threat of imminent force did carry JLC from one place to another without that person's consent. The intent to cause the victim to be secretly confined, contrary to Section 940.31 sub 1 sub A and 939.50 sub 3 sub C of the Wisconsin Statutes, a class C felony in a pond conviction may be find not more than $100,000, or in prison not more than 40 years or both. How do you plead to that charge? As Jake was escorted out of the courtroom, he muttered, by Jamie. Jake's sentencing hearing was set for May 24.

Before sentencing hearing was set for May 24. Before sentencing occurred, members from the Klaus family took their time to read their victim impact statements. To the defendant on the morning of October 15, 2018, I received the worst phone call. One could get the lives of my baby sister Denise and her husband Jim were brutally taken and their only daughter, Jamie. My beloved niece was missing. I fell to the ground and screamed. I was hoping I was just waking up from a nightmare.

But later to realize it was one I lived for 88 days. My sister and brother and I were such loving and giving and beautiful people only working and living two ways. They're only beloved daughter. I spent these days in sleepless nights trying to figure out why and how you could so brutally take these lives and kidnap Jamie in a such a horrific way. It was senseless to me. Denise and Jim wore a daughter, a son, a sister, a brother, a niece, a nephew, an aunt, an uncle. Denise was a loving godmother to children that will miss her more than anything. And more, but most of all, a loving mother and father, Jamie has lost. Jamie lost everything.

She must have stirred over, but she has her loving family behind her. Two people, Denise and Jim, we love with all our hearts we're taken from us. We had to go through the motions of planning their funeral without getting the chance to respectfully mourn their loss. Their baby girl was still out there somewhere and we needed to do everything possible to

bring her home to us. Denise and Jim would never rest in peace until that happened. She was their world. I needed this girl home. We needed this girl home. We needed this girl home. My life was ripped apart and shattered into pieces. So much loss. My sister and husband died trying to protect their family. Each other, their daughter. The nightmare of what they went through the early hours of that morning

remains in my head every day. I don't want myself, Jamie most of all, nor my family, to fear another day. I don't want another family to go through the nightmare. My family has endured. Judge, as I come before you, I ask that you sentence the defendant maximum sentences on each count in this case. Thank you. Thank you. While Jamie wasn't present at the hearing, she'd written out a formal statement that sad that he took away my mom and my dad. I loved my mom and dad very much and they loved me very much. They did all they could to make me happy and protect me. He took them away from me forever. I felt safe in my home and I loved my room and all of my

belongings. He took all of that too. I don't want to even see my home or my stuff because of the memory of that night. My parents in my home were the most important things in my life. He took them away from me in a way that will always leave me with a horrifying memory. I have to have an alarm in the house now just so I can sleep. I used to love to go out with my friends. I love to go to school. I love to do dance. He took all of those things away from me too. It's too hard for me to go out in public. I get scared and I get anxious. These are just ordinary things that anyone like me should be able to do, but I can't because he took them away from me.

But there are some things that Jake Patterson can never take from me. He can't take my freedom. He thought that he could own me, but he was wrong. I was smarter. I watched his routine and I took back my freedom. I will always have my freedom and he will not. Jake Patterson can never take away my courage. He thought he could control me, but he couldn't. I feel like what he did is what a coward would do. I was brave when he was not. He could never take away my spirit. He thought that he could make me like him, but he was wrong.

He can't ever change me or take away who I am. He can't stop me from being happy and moving forward with my life. I will go on to do great things in my life and he will not. Jake Patterson will never have any power over me. I feel like I have some power over him because I get to tell the judge what I think should happen to him. He stole my parents from me. He stole almost everything I loved from me. For 88 days, he tried to steal me

and he didn't care who he hurt or who he killed to do that. He should stay locked up forever. Judge, those are the words of Jamie Kloss and it's been my privilege to deliver them to you. Thank you. Even Judge James Babler wanted to take some time to express his sorrow for the Kloss family.

You know, it'd be inaccurate for me to say that I understand what you're going through. The magnitude of these crimes is difficult if not impossible to comprehend. All I can really say is I'm sorry for what you have endured. I wish we could go back in time to make sure that James and Denise, Claus, were never murdered, nor Miss Claus kidnapped. But I and the system can't do that for you. At best it is my hope that today's hearing will bring you some bit of closure to this

awful nightmare, and perhaps some return of a sense of safety and security. Judge Babler also had his own statement to make towards Jake, who sat in the courtroom with his head hung. There's been discussion of your character. It is clearly unusual for me to have someone come to court for any crime, much less a serious crime, and have no prior record. You have no criminal record. You have no juvenile record. You have no criminal record. You have no juvenile record. You have no history of drug and alcohol issues. There's no evidence that you are under the influence of any alcohol and drugs. The PSI notes that you have what I would say alarmingly distorted views?

The PSI writer says anti-social cognitions For all of this I have no idea if there's any treatment. I heard what your lawyers said about these psychiatrist or psychologist who met with you. I Don't know how he came to any of his conclusions. I've never seen his report, but your actions and the ideas that you had are not normal. They are shockingly not normal. I have no idea what rehabilitation could be provided for you. No one suggested any rehabilitation, because even from your own side, the doctors can't find anything wrong with you. I'm not sure if you're going to be able to find it for you. No one suggested any

rehabilitation because even from your own side the doctors can't find anything wrong with you. I want to talk about the need to protect the public. I've been a lawyer for almost 40 years in a judge for the last 16 years almost entirely in this county. And these

crimes rank as the most heinous and dangerous that I have seen either here or anywhere else in the state of Wisconsin and perhaps the United States. When I read the complaint and when I've had hearings here, it would be an understatement to say that I was shocked by the brutalness and I've seen lots of crimes in my career. There is talk of your remorse, but as the agent points out in the PSI, there's a difference between regret and remorse. Regret means you're sorry that your caught remorse means you have empathy for the victims. I have no doubt that you have regret, and I have no doubt that you have regret,

and I have no doubt that you have no remorse. The overriding factor in this sentencing is the protection of the public. The rest of the public deserves liberty and justice. You have had long-term thoughts prior to committing these crimes, including kidnapping multiple girls, killing multiple families, and keeping a young girl prisoner. You are the embodiment of evil, and the public can only be safe if you are incarcerated

until you die." Not only was Jake given two life sentences in addition to 40 years for the kidnapping of Jamie Klaus, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender. After the sentencing, Jamie's aunt and legal guardian Jennifer spoke with the media, as well as district attorney Brian Wright. On behalf of Jamie, I would like to thank everyone involved in helping us through this very difficult time. The FBI, local law enforcement, and the Barron County District Attorney have acted professionally and with great kindness.

We will always be grateful for their dedication. Today was a very important step in the process of helping Jamie to move forward. We are satisfied with the outcome and believe that it will give Jamie some much needed piece of mind. I fully understand the interest and questions related to how Jamie is doing. I can tell you that she has made a great deal of progress but obviously has much work left to do. She has spent time with her friends, has been doing her homework, and of course is hanging out with Molly. We are so thankful for the time and space that the media has given her. Jamie will very likely have more to say in the future, but we are grateful for you

allowing her to do that on her own terms. So many people have demonstrated their generosity by sending Jamie Gifts donations and notes of support. I want everyone to know that Jamie has personally gone through every gift and every card. Your kindness has brought her great joy and many smiles. These guests have come from all over the world and is very appreciated. I also want to thank once again this community, their love, support, respect, has been overwhelming. The town of Barron, the state of Wisconsin, the people from around the entire country has given Jamie and our entire family great comfort.

Thank you for all being here today. I will be offering a few words, but will not be taking any questions. I speak for an entire community when I say how overjoyed we are that Jamie is safe. However, there is also sadness that James and Denise are no longer with us. I hope the result in this case will give Jamie some measure of comfort in knowing that Mr. Patterson will never terrorize her again and a measure of satisfaction to Jamie and the families of James and Denise that justice was obtained for James and Denise. What the hell was this?

What in the Holy fuck was this crime about? Jake Thomas Patterson, a 21-year-old with a captive 13-year-old girl under his bed. His own family, coming by the house regularly for almost three months. His father was there every Saturday, and no one else knew. No one else knew what was happening. No one had any idea for almost three months. He had killed both of her parents in the middle of the night for no reason, just to take her and keep her locked up under his bed. In Jake's own words, he said he had done all of this on impulse. He had spotted Jamie and made

his decision. And then there is one of the strangest details of this case. Jake Patterson was not charged with any rape or sexual assault charges. You would think there would be a logical reason for all of this, a reason that no matter how sick and twisted would make some sort of sense and point to some sort of motive that one could understand. Throw out everything you know that would motivate a monstrous act. Disregard all logical thought because hopefully there is nothing you have in common with this monster. And none of it makes any sense. Jake has commented that he quote, still loves Jamie. When asked why he did this, he said,

at the time, I was really, really pissed. And then he added, the reason I did this is complicated. In the aftermath of the penalty phase of Jake Patterson, Jamie has tried to get back to some sense of normality. She was brought in to the state capital, where the young woman was honored with a hometown hero award. On behalf of the State of Wisconsin, I am so proud to present our hometown hero award to Miss Jamie Claus. Please know Jamie is enjoying her day here.

More than you can imagine. She greatly appreciates the honor, the capital tour, and the kind of everyone involved. I'd like to first recognize the hometown part of this hometown hero award. Our hometown, Baron, and the surrounding area needs to be recognized for their support, encouragement, and their love. Thank you so much.

Speaking for her entire family, I have to say that Jamie is totally deserving of the hero part of this award. Her courage, her bravery, and her spirit. Our things that inspire us and make us stronger and better. Just like you, we want Jamie to know how much we love her. Thank you. Thank you. Before this terrible tragedy had occurred,

Jamie's father James and mother Denise had worked for a company called Jenny O. A company that specializes in meats and cheeses distributed throughout the nation. Prior to Jamie's safe return, the company had offered a $25,000 reward for any information leading to her recovery. And after she was found safe, the company believed the money should go to the young girl herself. Both Jeannie Nutter and the Kisinka's family agreed the money should go to her as well.

So the money did go to her as well. So the money did go to her. A small contribution for a life destroyed, in a senseless, inexplicable act. When we lock our doors at night, we expect we will be safe until the morning sun rises. But as we have learned here on Sword and Scale, not even a locked door will stop what Judge James Babler described as the embodiment of evil. Like it or not, there will always be a Jake Patterson out there in the dark, willing to do the unthinkable for God knows what reason. Made of the same things, flesh and blood and bone and a mind full of sickness,

bestering, waiting for its moment to act. Stories like this are the kind of thing nightmares are made of. So when you lock your doors tonight and turn off the lights, we hope you have sweet dreams because true evil is alive and well out there. Just beyond your thin doors,

waiting in the dark. That does it for this episode of Sword and Scale the 150th. Thank you so much for joining us and sticking with us over the last 5 years. If you want more Sword and Scale head on over to PLUS. Get over 58 episodes of plus, exclusive content, physical perks, a high quality bit rate feed, and everything is commercial free. Just go to swordenscale.com slash plus to learn more. Until next time, lock your doors and stay safe. 1. Draw the line on the back of the head 1. Draw the line on the back of the head You you