NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — The man who confessed to killing a Nassau County Sheriff's Office deputy during a traffic stop in 2021 will be sentenced later this month, court documents obtained by First Coast News on Monday show.
Patrick McDowell will be sentenced July 17.
McDowell pleaded guilty to killing Deputy Joshua Moyers on March 10, 2023. Eleven jurors voted for him to be put to death, while just one recommended a life sentence in prison for him during the penalty phase of his death penalty trial.
On May 17, McDowell's attorneys filed a motion for a life sentence, stating the court "erred" on 20 occasions including denying the change in venue, allowing victim impact testimony and disputing various parts of the state's death penalty guidelines.
Filing the motion came about three weeks after McDowell read a letter to jurors asking for the death penalty.
The memorandum for a life sentence cites McDowell's service in the Marine Corps in Iraq and private contractor Triple Canopy, and subsequent PTSD. It refers to "the violence against Deputy Moyers as an aberration of his behavior." The document also refers to his substance abuse prior to the deadly traffic stop and McDowell's relationship with his teenage son. The document says McDowell is "extremely remorseful."
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper previously told First Coast News that McDowell is a "liar, cheater, druggie and a murderer," and that it was "proven in court."
"He's a cop killing, evil person, and he deserves to die a violent death just like he gave deputy Moyers," Leeper said. "He does not deserve any better than that."
Nassau County Public Defender Alan Chipperfield called Leeper's statements "inappropriate."
“It's not a joyous occasion, should never be for anybody, when a human life is being taken,” Chipperfield told First Coast News.
After fatally shooting Moyers on Sept. 23, 2021, McDowell was captured about five days after the shooting following an extensive manhunt.
On June 3, a Jacksonville woman who pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in helping McDowell escape, was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of probation. Breiana Tole, 30, was given credit for 980 days served, which means she will only remain jailed for a couple more months.