Gunman In Death Of Little Italy Restaurant Manager Sentenced: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — A man who pleaded guilty Monday in the killing of the 44-year-old manager of La Scala Ristorante Italiano, a popular eatery in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood, has been sentenced to prison.

Samuel Wise Jr., 22, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the January death of Chesley Patterson, according to Baltimore police. Wise was also charged with armed robbery, first-degree escape and gun charges after he shot Patterson, CBS Baltimore reported.

Wise pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree escape and gun charges, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office told WBAL-TV. Wise was sentenced to life with all but 50 years suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation upon release for the murder charge. He was sentenced concurrently to 20 years and five years for the other two charges.

Patterson was shot on Jan. 24 shortly after he closed and left the restaurant. Patterson drove to and went inside the Bristol Liquor store, the Baltimore Sun reported. He then left the store, put items in his truck and got into the vehicle through the driver's side door.

According to the Sun, a minivan pulled up and a person wearing all black, later identified as Wise, got out of the passenger side, walked up to Patterson, pointed a gun at him and pulled Patterson’s driver-side door open. The gunman shot Patterson in the chest before getting back in the van, the Sun reported, citing charging documents.

Patterson was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Wise was arrested and charged after attempting to flee Baltimore police headquarters. He was quickly apprehended and taken to Central Booking, police said.