In Pekin, Illinois, 93-year-old James Pate has been charged with the murder of his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl Pate. According to court documents, he allegedly told police he killed her because “he couldn’t take it anymore.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 2, following an argument in their car. Pate reportedly struck his wife and then used a knife from the center console to cut her throat. Police found him at the scene covered in blood.
During an interview with authorities, Pate confessed that they were planning to get a divorce and that pent-up anger led him to attack her. An autopsy confirmed Cheryl Pate died from multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries.
Pate faces a charge of first-degree murder, and a petition has been filed to deny his pretrial release.