40-year-old Ray E. Tate appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court yesterday for a negotiated change of plea. After pleading not guilty in February to 38 counts related to the death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley, he pleaded guilty to Count 9 – first-degree murder – today, and the remaining counts were dismissed. A sentencing hearing was set in Wayne County Circuit Court for April 22nd at 9 a.m. The maximum sentence for the offense, along with the enhancements of being the proximate cause of death of a police officer acting in his official capacity, is mandatory natural life in prison without parole.
