Convicted murderer and former Lawrence County resident Ray Tate made a brief video appearance Wednesday in Clinton County (Ill) Circuit Court as part of his continued efforts to withdraw a guilty plea to charges filed against him after his capture there following the death of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley in December of 2021.
Tate, who fired his court-appointed attorney last month and is representing himself asked for additional time to file an amended motion asking the guilty plea to aggravated kidnapping and firearms charges be vacated. Tate maintains he was coerced into entering the plea. He received a 40-year prison term. The motion for more time was granted, and a status hearing was set for Oct. 29.
Tate is continuing to serve a life sentence without parole in connection with the Riley killing at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester.
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