Though convicted killer Ray Tate’s court proceedings have concluded in Wayne County, his legal troubles are just beginning in Clinton County. Tate is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the December 29, 2021, murder of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley. He now faces 30 Class-X felony charges stemming from various offenses related to his capture at a farmhouse near Carlyle.
Last week, Tate’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea regarding Deputy Riley’s murder was denied. Following this setback, some law enforcement officials speculated that he might choose to plead guilty to the charges in Clinton County to expedite the process.
However, during a video hearing on Wednesday in Clinton County Circuit Court, Tate made it clear that he is opting for a jury trial. Clinton County State’s Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer and Tate’s public defender informed the judge that they are prepared to move forward with the trial. A trial date has been set for Monday, September 16, and an in-person writ has been issued to transfer Tate from Menard State Penitentiary in Chester to Clinton County for a pretrial hearing on September 9.
The charges Tate faces in Clinton County include nine counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of home invasion, three counts of possession of a weapon by a felon, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, six counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, three counts of residential burglary, aggravated possession of stolen firearms, and aggravated battery.
Tate remains in the maximum security section of Menard State Penitentiary, where he is designated as a high escape risk, indicated by the green jumpsuit he has been issued.
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