Florida woman who shot sister, buried her in backyard laughed as judge sentenced her to life

TAMPA, Fla. (TCN) -- A 72-year-old woman has been sentenced to life in prison for killing her sister, whose body was found in a shallow grave in their backyard in 2021.

Debra Patton was sentenced on Feb. 16, WFTS reports, after a jury deliberated for an hour and found her guilty of second-degree murder on Jan. 14. WTVT reports it took more than 4 1/2 years for the case to go to trial. There were multiple delays in court proceedings, and Patton spent two years in a mental health hospital after being deemed incompetent to stand trial.

According to the prosecution, WTVT reports, Patton shot her sister, Karen Pais, in May 2021 and then buried her a foot deep in the yard of the home they shared. Authorities did not release a motive, but prosecutors say Patton reportedly lived at the home without paying rent and her relationship with Pais had become fractured. 

According to Cathy Wyncoop, a longtime friend of Pais, Pais said if something happened to her or if she went missing, “Debra did it,” WTVT reports.

In May 2021, Pais was reported missing after friends stopped hearing from her. When questioned, Patton was reportedly dismissive, WTVT reports. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law & Crime, surveillance footage from a neighbor’s home showed Pais enter the house for the last time on May 24, 2021.

Police reportedly noted a fresh patch of dirt in the backyard. When they obtained a search warrant, they dug a 2-foot hole and found a body in a trash bag that had a gunshot wound to the chest and a necklace that said “Karen.” Patton was then arrested. 

In February 2025, a judge deemed Patton competent to stand trial after she spent two years in a mental health hospital, and a date was set for the trial to begin in January 2026, according to WTVT.

At trial, the defense stated that there was no evidence that directly tied Patton to Pais’ death and that the large patch of dirt in the backyard could be explained by the fact that Pais often did yard work and gardening, WTVT reports.

At her sentencing, Patton said, “I do stand here blameless for this. I do intend to appeal the verdict. I do also forgive everything I just heard in here that was a lie,” WTVT reports.

As the judge made his final statements, Patton reportedly interrupted him and smiled and laughed. He said, “This is not your time to speak. It’s your time to listen.” 

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