WAYNE COUNTY, IL — The arraignment of a 40-year-old Kentucky man on charges he murdered a Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy has again been continued after his defense attorney was quarantined due to COVID-19.

Ray Tate was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on 36 counts first-degree murder, Class X felony aggravated vehicle hijacking and Class 2 felony possession of a firearm stemming from the December 2022 shooting death of Deputy Sean Riley. However, Tate’s court appointed attorney has been placed on quarantine until February 7th. Arraignment in the case is now scheduled for February 9th in Wayne County Court.

A January arraignment was continued when the defendant demanded a formal arraignment and time wasn’t available to read all 38 counts. According to Illinois State Police, Deputy Riley was called for a “motorist assist” on Interstate 64. Troopers say it was called in by a passerby. Following a brief encounter with Tate, Deputy Riley requested emergency assistance. When other law enforcement officers arrived, they say they found Deputy Riley’s body and his cruiser was gone. Authorities say Tate fled in Deputy Riley’s cruiser before hijacking a semi-truck driver who he had drive him to Missouri. Tate is accused of committing other crimes in Missouri, before returning to Illinois. He was taken into custody after a hostage situation in Clinton County.

He was transported to the Clinton County Jail where Wayne County authorities set his bail at $5 million. Missouri authorities have charged him with 14 various crimes stemming from his brief time that day in their state.

Additional Illinois charges could also be filed in Clinton County.

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