Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WARWICK, R.I. -- District Court Judge Frank J. Cenerini on Friday ordered Michael J. Patino, 27, accused of fatally injuring 6-year-old Marco Nieves of Cranston, held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending trial, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said in a news release.

Marco died of an internal injury at Hasbro Children's Hospital Oct. 4 after allegedly having been struck by Patino the previous day, according to the news release.

Although charged with murder, which is a capital offense, Patino, like every defendant, had a constitutional right to a bail hearing, the release noted. The hearing started Oct. 30 and extended through Friday afternoon, after which Cenerini found that the state's prosecutors, Special Assistant Attorney General Molly Cote and Assistant Attorney General Randy White, had met the state's legal burden, according to the Rhode Island Constitution, that "the proof of guilt is evident and the presumption of guilt is great."

The state must prove a higher burden, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, if the case goes to trial in Superior Court.

"This is only the first step of a very long and tortuous road to ensure justice for young Marco," said Lynch.

 Tags  Cranston RI Marco Nieves Michael J. Patino

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