Baby Joseph Gabriel Patterson will never know or was ever able to meet his father.

His daddy, Joseph Edward Patterson: Born April 10,1991; Was murdered February 15, 2015-(23 years old) weeks before his new son was born on April 9, 2015.

On February 15, 2015 in Gainesville, Georgia; Joe was given some pills by a friend, 24 year old Casey Trichel.. Joseph was the average young man. Working out at the gym daily, studying to be a personal trainer and seeking a degree in exercise science, working at Sherwin Williams for over three years, playing video games, working on his prized possession which was his car, and nervously awaiting the birth of his baby. Joe had already picked out baby items for his child after he found out he was going to have a son. He named him Gabriel and began listing out all the do's and don'ts rules that his son would have to abide by. Joe had spent Valentine's Day with his pregnant girlfriend. Joseph never lived to see the birth of his son. 

Joe had assumed the pills he got from Casey were safe because he trusted his friend. They were not. Joe died, fighting for his life so violently that he broke his nose during his struggle to live. On Monday morning, Joe's parents were called to the crime scene where Joe's body was found. Joe left behind all of us including his unborn son, family, friends, co-workers, etc. 

Joseph is the first prosecuted murder case of  death by fentanyl poisoning in the state of Georgia. Casey Trichel was sentenced to a total of 30 years. He is currently serving his sentence in Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. Since Joe was killed, dozens of other people have died in Georgia. Hundreds in the United States and even more world wide. To date, fentanyl deaths have become an epidemic. Charlie Wilson another young victim, was murdered days after Joe. His killer is still at large. And there are many other people out there like Joe's and Charlie's killer who have no regards for human life or the right to live.

This petition is in memory of and honors all the murdered victims and on behalf of the citizens of the state of Georgia and the United States of America and nations worldwide. We, the survivors of our deceased loved ones and their families, demand protection from criminal individuals and groups who produce dangerous drugs by manufacturing and distributing them, present “Joe’s Law”, a proposal to implement change and modify the laws and criminal definitions and consequences of counterfeit and dangerous drug distribution in the state of Georgia and the United States of America.

Joe’s Law introduces new perspectives and legal changes to existing laws. These changes are in response to the increased deaths from disguised drugs like fentanyl.  Fentanyl is the most potent pain killer used medically and is up to a hundred times more powerful than morphine or heroin. It is often disguised as another counterfeit drug and may be compressed into a fake pill.

Change is a complicated process. The wonderful thing about living in a democracy is that citizens have the ability to change laws and procedures, especially when they come together for a common goal. Fentanyl deaths have increased all over the country, numbering now in the thousands and increasing every day. One tiny pill of counterfeit disguised fentanyl or another like drug, the size of an aspirin can cause permanent brain damage, two can kill an adult.

Joe’s Law Provisions and Proposal:

1.      A person engaged in manufacturing and/or distributing a dangerous drug(such as fentanyl, schedule II, and or deadly drugs) and/or manufacturing such a drug to look like a counterfeit of another mild and/or perceived non-dangerous drug or dispensing and/or utilizing deception in the manufacture and/or distribution of a dangerous drug that is manufactured in such a manner to cause death and/or permanent physical or psychological damage towards another human being shall be found guilty of a felony with not less than a five year mandatory prison sentence. Second offenders; ten years minimum sentence. Third or more: twenty years to life in prison. Previous aggravated or habitual manufacturing and/or distribution felony drug crimes qualify as an offense.

2.      A person charged with the above clause will be charged with aggravated battery and/or assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23/24) if a victim is known and/or unknown. It will be assumed that the individual or group who engages in the manufacturer and/or distribution of such drugs intends to commit harm to another individual and/or to deprive another of their life and/or cause irreparable physical and/or psychological damage to another.

3.      Legal duty to rescue: A provision of Joe’s Law recognizes Georgia’s 16-13-5 immunity from arrest or prosecution for persons seeking medical assistance from drug overdose. Drug overdose is defined as, “acute condition, including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, mania, or death, resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled substance or dangerous drug by the individual in violation of this chapter or that a reasonable person would believe to be resulting from the consumption or use or a controlled substance or dangerous drug by the distressed individual” (Georgia Code, 2015).  Joe’s Law recognizes this law but stresses the opposite of rendering aid. If an individual refuses or neglects to rescue a distressed person suffering a life or death circumstance than that individual is susceptible to the charge of assault and/or voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. Complacency or ignorance should not be viewed as an excuse to refrain from the duty to rescue a fellow human from harm’s way.

We renamed Joe's son in his honor as Joseph Gabriel Patterson.Joe's parents, Lisa and Julian have custody of baby Joe. We ask everyone to support Joe’s Law by sharing and signing this petition and make Joe’s Law, a true law in the state of Georgia and other states. By promoting this bill, we as citizens can send a clear message to drug dealers and manufacturers indicating that they are accountable for their actions. That they are not committing a “victim-less crime” but a devastating offense that has lasting consequences and repercussions. Vote “Yes” for Joe’s Law and save a life.