lauren patterson

Witnesses called to testify at an appeal hearing today for two men convicted of killing British teacher Lauren Patterson refuted a defense lawyer’s suggestion that the murder victim was a heavy drinker who dated multiple men.

A video recorded several days after the British teacher died that was played during an appeal hearing yesterday contradicts an explanation given by defense lawyers during the earlier criminal trial.

Two men were convicted of killing 24-year-old British teacher Lauren Patterson. During their appeal, the prosecutor has asked a judge to uphold the death penalty for one of them, and a three-year jail term for the other.

The brief session was adjourned after the defendants asked for new legal counsel. The prosecutor has not yet specified whether he is appealing for a harsher sentence for one of the convicts.

A call by defense lawyers to produce additional phone records was turned down during a hearing today, setting the stage for closing arguments in October.

In his final arguments on Thursday, the prosecutor moved that one of the two defendants on trial get the death penalty. A verdict is expected late next month.

Among those questioned today were the British teacher's best friend, who describes the last time she saw Patterson alive, and a forensic doctor who explained his findings.