Ray Tate will remain in prison for the rest of his natural life. The former Lawrence County man had his motion to withdraw his guilty plea and vacate his life sentence for the killing of a Wayne County Sheriffs deputy denied during a nearly 9 hour hearing Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court in Fairfield. During the proceeding, Tate testified he was coerced into pleading guilty to the killing and was not mentally competent at the time. However, presiding Judge Denton Aud, after a brief recess at the end of the hearing, emerged and announced his decision saying that there was no question as to Tate's guilt based on the preponderence of evidence presented against him. Tate does have the right to file a written notice of appeal of the ruling within 30 days. Tate was remanded back into the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) afterward and will continue to serve his life sentence without parole at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester.
One driver injured in SR 9 collision
Lady Indians drop home encounter with Fairfield
GWRPC officers announced for 2026
Fritchton Agronomy Center among investments for Keystone Cooperative
Crawford and Richland Counties receive state economic funding
VU announces transition for WVUT-TV
Unit #20 Board to hold special session
ISP conduct alcohol enforcement action in Wabash County
Sumner street project to begin soon
Local couple arrested by Lawrenceville Police
Flags ordered to half-staff for Captain Seth Koval
Illinois DMV text scams continue in Lawrence and surrounding counties
Enhanced fire risk warning for southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana
Indiana launches enforcement campaign to target distracted driving and speeding
New Second Circuit Judge named in Richland County
Lawrenceville arrests
