FAIRFIELD (WMIX) – A 43-year-old Kentucky man who pleaded guilty to the December 2021 shooting death of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley appeared in court Friday in his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea.
Ray Tate told the court Friday he missed a response deadline on his motion to withdraw his guilty plea due to a lockdown at Menard Correctional Facility, where he is currently held on his conviction for Deputy Riley’s murder. He asserted he mailed the response May 3 but it did not arrive at the courthouse.
Tate was told he could file the second amended motion, but was warned if it’s found fabricated the situation at Menard, the state would insist on imposing the missed May 10 deadline.
Tate is scheduled to appear again in Wayne County Court for a motion hearing on June 11.
