Columbia man charged in fentanyl overdose deaths remains jailed without bond

By Zimmer Communications
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27-year-old Columbia murder suspect
Tavares Eric Patrick is currently on probation for domestic assault and for stealing. Boone County prosecutors describe him as a flight risk (May 2022 file photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Corrections’ website)

An alleged Columbia drug dealer charged with two counts of second degree murder for two October fentanyl overdose deaths says he will apply for a public defender.

939 the Eagle News was at the Boone County Courthouse for Friday’s initial court appearance for 27-year-old Tavares Patrick, who was arraigned via video while wearing a jail jumpsuit.

The Columbia Police Department’s heavily-redacted three-page probable cause statement says the two overdose deaths happened on October 13. It’s unclear where the deaths happened. Court documents say a “baggie” with white powder and a rolled-up dollar bill were discovered near the bodies, and that the powder field tested positive for fentanyl.

The court documents quote a witness as saying the drugs were supplied by a man he knew as “Tommy.” The 27-year-old Patrick is also known as “Tommy Capone”, according to court documents. He’ll be back in court on Thursday. Boone County prosecutors describe him as a flight risk, citing his criminal history and the new murder charges. Patrick is currently on probation for domestic assault and stealing.