Gwinnett DA: 'Premature conclusion' ruling fire death accidental

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The Gwinnett County district attorney spoke only to Channel 2 Action News about the investigation into a fire that killed a mother and her two daughters.

Kathy Patterson and her 9- and 11-year-old daughters were killed in a fire at their home on Pointer Ridge in February.

Patterson’s husband, Brent, is the sole survivor.

Medical examiner, Carol Terry, said Tuesday that the mother and daughter’s deaths have been ruled an accident.

Gwinnett County DA Danny Porter said that the medical examiner may have jumped the gun and didn’t have enough information to reach that conclusion.

“Her basis for saying there was no evidence of an intentionally-set fire tells me she hasn’t been briefed on the latest information,” Porter said. “There’s evidence that I can’t discuss that she’s apparently completely unaware of.”

Porter’s team and arson investigators are still looking at what they call inconsistent statements by Brent Patterson. Brent Patterson said he did everything he could to try to save his family.

Porter said Terry’s ruling isn’t binding on his investigation, and he could still go through with criminal charges against Brent Patterson.

Porter said he wants the investigation expedited.

“The speculation has gone on long enough. We have to make some decisions in this case,” he said.

Channel 2’s Tony Thomas also asked Porter about Kathy Patterson’s reported blood alcohol level of .242 on the night she died.

He said he already knew about her drinking habits, and he’s not sure what impact that might have on the outcome of the investigation.

Thomas contacted Terry’s office and was told she wasn’t commenting further on her ruling, but she could change her findings if more evidence is presented.

Cox Media Group