A Gloucester County man accused of stabbing a mother and son to death in Hammonton last year has pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Latko, 33, was indicted in May on two counts of murder in the killings of Diana Patterson, 64, and her son, Ryan, 29.
The Pattersons were found at their Hammonton home with their throats slashed early Nov. 3. Ryan Patterson had been stabbed at least 17 times. Diana Patterson, who was still in her bed, was stabbed 11 times. Both also had cuts to their arms, which have been categorized in court as defensive wounds.
Latko's cell phone was found at the crime scene, although he reportedly told police he left it there the night before. Ryan Patterson's cell phone — which he used to call 911 — was never found.
Public defender Kevin Moses told the judge this morning that he was waiting for discovery in the case. That includes surveillance video and DNA results, he said.
No details were given in court today, but it was previously disclosed that the state has video surveillance from outside a Gloucester County storage unit that shows a man matching Latko's build walking into the unit at about 6 a.m. the morning of the killings. He leaves wearing different clothes and carrying what appears to be a trash bag.
Authorities also have said a knife with Ryan Patterson's blood on it was found in a yard near the Pattersons' home.
Latko will be back in court July 23.
Superior Court Judge Michael Donio said at that time, he will likely give Moses a month to go through the evidence. Then, a schedule giving Moses and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill deadlines for various motions and other filings will be made.
Donio expects a trial will be within nine months.
