The cheese factory worker charged with kidnapping Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs and killing her parents made his first appearance before a judge on Wednesday.
Jake Patterson waived his right to a preliminary hearing, during which a judge determines whether there’s probable cause to bring felony charges and if the crime was committed by the person charged by prosecutors, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette.
The 21-year-old is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary. He previously appeared in court via video in January.
At the end of the minutes-long hearing, Barron County Circuit Judge James Babler set Patterson’s arraignment for March 27.
Patterson is accused of gunning down James and Denise Closs inside their home in Barron on Oct. 15 and taking 13-year-old Jayme hostage. She spent 88 days hidden at his home before making a daring escape in January.
The failed Marine wannabe allegedly told cops that he decided to take the teen, whom he had never met, after randomly spotting her at a bus stop on his way to work at a cheese factory.
Patterson is being held on $5 million bail.