03 June 2010 :

A Lycoming County Jury sentenced Maurice Patterson to death. Patterson, 36, black, was found guilty of orchestrating the March 31, 2007 "hit" on Eric Sawyer, 38, while behind bars at Lycoming County Prison. Prosecutors say Patterson ordered the shooting because drug-dealing associates told him Sawyer was working with police. Forty-one-year-old Sean Durrant, who testified the murder was over envy involving a woman, has signed a plea agreement with Linhardt's office to receive a sentence of 25 to 60 years in state prison. pleaded guilty to murder and acknowledged being the shooter, but testified that Patterson set up the shooting. Another man, Javier S. Cruz-Echevarria, was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy and is serving life without a chance for parole. Judge Nancy L. Butts has not set a formal sentencing date.