James Michael Patrick, 49, was sentenced to 72 years in prison for the murder of his wife, 46-year-old Jenean Chapman, following a fatal domestic dispute on September 21, 2023. Patrick, who had been previously kicked out of his wife’s apartment, arrived at her home that night and became involved in an argument.
During the altercation, Patrick strangled and beat Chapman to death, making no attempt to call for help or alert authorities. After the murder, he fled to Austin, where he was eventually apprehended by authorities.
On the stand, Patrick claimed he acted in self-defense, but the jury did not find his testimony credible. The jury convicted him of murder, and he was sentenced to 72 years in prison.
