Menard State Prison’s Zoom video system experienced technical difficulties, postponing the Clinton County court appearance for Ray E. Tate this week. A final pretrial hearing for Tate was initially scheduled for 8:30 Monday morning, but officials at the prison were unable to establish a connection via Zoom. Clinton County officials have now issued an in-person writ for Tate and set a trial date of November 12. Court records show Clinton County prosecutors had submitted a plea offer to Tate, which was due to have been discussed during Monday’s hearing.
Tate is currently serving a life sentence for the December 29, slaying of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley. The Clinton County case stems from the events surrounding his eventual capture at a farmhouse in rural Clinton County. Those events resulted in a total of 30 separate charges against Tate.
Tate still faces charges in St. Charles County, Missouri where he fled after killing Deputy Riley. Charges there include attempted murder, kidnapping and multiple other felony offenses.
Tate is still asking to withdraw his guilty plea in the Wayne County murder case. A video hearing on that request was also derailed because of issues with a Zoom connection with Menard State Prison. That hearing was set for October 20, but has been rescheduled for November 29.
An in-person final pretrial hearing has been set for November 7 at 1 pm in Clinton County .
