93-Year-Old Man Charged with Murdering Wife After Alleged Knife Attack

A 93-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his wife following a violent incident in Pekin, Illinois. Authorities report that James Pate admitted to police that he slashed his wife Cheryl Pate’s throat after a heated argument.

According to the police affidavit, James Pate, covered in blood at the scene, stated that an argument in their vehicle escalated. He claimed he struck her before grabbing a knife from the center console and stabbing her. The couple had reportedly been planning to divorce, and Pate expressed that his frustration and anger had reached a breaking point.

Cheryl Pate was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. An autopsy confirmed she died from multiple fatal sharp and blunt-force injuries that were not survivable.

Mugshot of James E. Pate, a 93-year-old man arrested for stabbing his wife. — James Pate, 93, faces charges of first-degree murder after confessing to the killing.

Pate was taken into custody at the scene and is now facing a first-degree murder charge. The authorities have filed a petition to prevent his pretrial release while the investigation continues.

Photo of Cheryl Pate. — Cheryl Pate was found without a pulse and died shortly after at a hospital.

The Tazewell County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Cheryl’s death was caused by multiple fatal injuries, indicating the violence was severe and unsurvivable.