PATTERSON: ON HIS WAY OUT?

posted by Michael Chihak

The Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts sums up in her column Tuesday the case involving Tucson Democratic Rep. Daniel Patterson and his jurisprudence issues.

Roberts calls the case "an embarrassment, an outrage, a disgrace" and says Patterson is either "the world's most misunderstood man ... or he's a total jerk."

Patterson is charged with four misdemeanor counts of domestic violence in connection with a complaint filed by his girlfriend.

It isn't his first brush with the law, as Roberts points out. She says his ex-wife gained a court order protecting her from him a few years ago.

He gets his day before the House Ethics Committee at the state Capitol today and his day in court in Tucson Thursday. He is claiming legislative immunity. House Speaker Andy Tobin Monday stripped Patterson of his committee assignments.

Patterson is in his second term representing District 29 in central Tucson.