Bay County Prosecutor Michael P. Kanuszewski said he disagreed with but respected the jury’s findings.
“We tried a good case,” he said. “My heart goes out to the family of the victim. They were hoping for a different outcome.”
Prior to trial, Campbell rejected an offer to plead guilty to second-degree murder with a 27-year prison sentence.
Testimony established Campbell, Patterson, and several others were hanging out at an apartment within Baytown Family Neighborhood in the early morning of Oct. 26, 2024. A disagreement occurred between Campbell, then 19, and Patterson and they fought outside, with Campbell suffering a chipped tooth when Patterson head-butted him.
Police responded and removed Patterson from the scene. Although Patterson was wanted on outstanding warrants, officers released him about seven blocks from Baytown as the warrants were beyond pickup range.
In the interim, Campbell left the apartment and retrieved a .22-caliber rifle with a laser sight. About an hour later, Patterson returned to Baytown and began antagonizing Campbell from outside, beating his chest and barking.
Campbell went outside with the rifle, turned on the laser, and shot Patterson once in his forehead. His four subsequent shots went wild.
Campbell acted in the spur of the moment, Crawford said.
Patterson died Nov. 1, 2024, after being removed from life support.
Kanuszewski argued Campbell planned to kill Patterson when he retrieved the rifle and that he told others he was going “to handle” him. He described Patterson’s death as a “cold, calculated, premeditated first-degree murder.”
Crawford said this was “puffery” on Campbell’s part, as he was intoxicated and embarrassed from his fight with Patterson. Campbell was not planning on killing Patterson as no one expected Paterson to return to Baytown after police removed him, Crawford argued.
Crawford asserted Patterson was “out of control” and having a mental health crisis the day of his death, having three separate interactions with police in a four-hour period.
Campbell is to remain in custody pending sentencing by Judge Wood, scheduled for Dec. 15.
Patterson is survived by a son, his mother, grandmother, six siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews “who will carry on his legacy and memory,” reads his obituary.
“Toryon was a hardworking man who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need,” his obituary states. “He was cherished and adored by many, known for his funny, loving spirit that will always be remembered and treasured. Toryon enjoyed listening to music, dressing well, spending time with family and friends, and being a devoted father to his son.”
Wills and the woman had been dating for about eight months, Crawford said. Wills was unaware of drama involving her exes and had never met Moten, he added.
Moten had been stalking the woman’s house and sped past it at 60 mph, only to come back around, parked in the middle of Ruckle Street, and purposefully walk toward Moten’s Avenger without closing his own vehicle’s door, Crawford said.
Moten began banging on the Avenger’s hood and windows, shouting for Wills to step out. Moten eventually yanked open the driver’s door, pulled Wills outside, and started assaulting him, Crawford said. The two men began grappling over Wills’ pistol, he added.
Wills gained control of his gun and fired on Moten, Crawford said. Wills legally owned the gun, his attorney added.
Moten was survived by three daughters and three sons, numerous siblings, his mother, and stepfather.
“His children were his world, and he was happiest when he was with them,” his obituary states. “Quay was a true protector of his ‘Queen,’ his mother, along with his sisters and nieces.”
Moten was known for his “contagious smile that would light up and change the atmosphere of any room that he entered,” his obituary states. “If he loved you, he made sure that you knew it by saying, ‘LOVE YOU MOST!‘”
Moten was employed by The Cat’s Meow and Lebec’s Roofing. He was attending Dorsey College, studying to become a certified massage therapist with six weeks to go when he died.
Moten’s death was Saginaw’s 14th homicide of 2024. The year ended with 23 homicides in the city, 21 of which resulted from gunfire.
