A Vivian man avoided trial and the risk of being sentenced as a multiple offender by pleading guilty to domestic violence battery just as his trial was about to start Monday, September 19, 2016, in Caddo District Court.

Frederick Patterson, 45, plead guilty as charged to the August 2012 aggravated second-degree battery of a former girlfriend. The guilty pleading was made before Caddo District Judge Joe Bleich.

Patterson attacked the victim after she reluctantly agreed to speak with him outside a family member’s home in Vivian. When the woman refused to accompany Patterson to his home, he pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the neck and ear. She ran from Patterson but tripped and fell as he chased her, got on top of her and stabbed her several times in the back. The woman suffered a collapsed lung, among other injuries, and was airlifted to LSU Hospital in Shreveport for treatment.

Patterson was prosecuted by Holly Y. McGinness and Britney Green and was defended by Michael Enright.

Patterson faces up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing is set for October 11 in Caddo District Court.