KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — After a short trial, a Kalamazoo County Jury has found Zachary Patten guilty of first degree murder for the shooting death of Graciela Portillo-Esparza last June at the Americana Estates Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo.
Prosecutors contended that the Portage resident confessed to being driven by jealousy and anger over child custody disputes between himself and the victim’s brother, who had fathered children with his current girlfriend, and the new husband of his ex-wife.
He told detectives he retrieved a gun that he had plastered into a wall, and went gunning for both of them. At his first stop the 31-year-old sister of his intended target stepped into the bullet. He still faces trial for the shooting death of Shane Richardson, who he allegedly murdered later that night in St. Joseph County. No date for that trial has been set.
No matter what happens in that second trial, he will be serving mandatory life without chance of parole for this conviction.
