December 1, 2022
(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Michael Patrick Paton, 39, of Celina, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the capital murder of his wife, Tamara Jo Paton (36), and his two children Kyndle Paton (14) and Evan Paton (13). “Some things really should go without saying, but husbands and fathers should bravely protect their families, not use their special access to permanently eliminate them. Our deepest condolences are with those who loved Tamara Jo, Kyndle and Evan.”
On February 19, 2021, Celina officers were dispatched to a shots fired call. The caller was Michael Paton, who advised to dispatch that he had shot his wife and there was a fire in the master bedroom. He told dispatch that his children were in the house and that he was standing outside with a gun in his hand.
Upon officer arrival, Paton placed his gun in the bed of his truck and was detained by Sergeant Jeremiah Phillips. Celina Fire Department entered the home for lifesaving measures but the mother and two teenagers were deceased due to gunshot wounds.
Celina Det. Christopher Armstrong, Det. KC Robinson, Sgt. Joshua Armstrong, and Lt. Kyle Peck investigated the case, with the assistance of the Celina Fire Department and Collin County Sheriff’s Office Criminalist Christina Gwyn.
Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case and assessed the life sentence without parole.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cresta Garland and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Robin Laughon and Victim Assistance Coordinator Shaunette Bronson.
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