Tate Decides to Represent Himself in Murder Conviction Withdrawal

Ray E. Tate stunned the court when he fired his court-appointed attorney. Convicted of the December 29, 2021 slaying of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley, Tate is trying to withdraw his guilty plea.

In a video hearing last Thursday afternoon, Tate unexpectedly fired Wayne County Public Defender Heidi Hoffee and told Judge Mike Molt he would represent himself in future hearings.

Judge Molt admonished Tate about the perils of self-representation and urged him to reconsider having legal representation. Tate responded that he and Hoffee have very different views on how to proceed in his efforts to withdraw his guilty plea and have the court vacate his murder conviction.

In a motion filed last week by Hoffee, Tate alleged he was coerced into pleading guilty to Deputy Riley’s murder with threats from Jefferson County jail corrections officers.  He also alleged jailers opened his cell door and allowed another inmate to enter and beat him up.  He further alleges that he was told to plead guilty to the slaying or he would wind up in federal court and face the death penalty.

Now representing himself, Tate was given until August 24th to file any amended or supplemental motions regarding his efforts to withdraw his guilty plea.