St. Louis, Missouri (KSDK)-- Closing arguments are expected to be presented today in the St. Louis Circuit Court chambers of Judge David Dowd for a man accused of killing the mother and uncle of his 5 year old son in a masked attack in south St. Louis.
26 year old Melvin Patton is charged with two counts of first degree murder in the April 2010 slayings of 24 year old Keneka Elliott and her 29 year old brother Julius Elliott.
Patton is being tried as a prior and persistent offender, meaning a higher range of incarceration if convicted.
Both victims and a third person were shot inside a home in the 3800 block of Pennsylvania by a masked gunman who barged into the home and opened fire on the adults in the presence of his then four year old son and several other children. Police and prosecutors allege that masked gunman was indeed, Melvin Patton.
None of the children were injured in the attack, and Patton's little boy begged his father not to hurt his mother.
Patton is also charged with assault in the injuring of Regina Jones, a friend of the siblings killed who survived the shooting.
Burglary, child endangerment, and armed criminal action crimes are also under consideration by the jury hearing the case against Patton who is facing a life prison term with no chance of release if convicted.
Evidence in the case is expected to wrap up late today.