Micah Pate Found Dead: Police Say Husband Admits Killing Her

[RaVen Blackehart]

BARTLETT, TN-Friday evening, May 1, 2009, police confirmed they had found the body of a missing Bartlett woman in Northeast Shelby County along the Loosahatchie River, just off of Brunswick Road. Police say Micah Pate’s husband admitted accidentally shooting her, and that Thomas Pate led them to her body.

Bartlett police say Thomas Pate originally told them he had last seen his wife Thursday evening, April 30, 2009, as she went for a run around 8:30 p.m. He called police to report her missing about two hours later.

Friday afternoon, Pate’s co-workers helped search for her along the route she usually ran, and handed out fliers.

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/new...d-Dead-Police-Say/IEVz_HHdD0WeBSNHzSqx9A.cspx

 

[Nell]

If I ever accidentally shot a loved one I would call the cops, not dump their body and make up shit about them being missing. WTF.

 

[Sister Iroz]

Two days after asking for help in finding his missing wife, Thomas Pate of Bartlett was charged Saturday with second-degree murder in her shooting death.

Micah Pate, 26, was reported missing on Thursday by her husband, who on Friday evening led investigators to her body in the Loosahatchie River bottoms.

Thomas Pate, also 26, is being held in the Bartlett City Jail, and no bond has been set.

Officials don't know when he will make his first court appearance.

Bartlett police spokesman Lt. Rory Mack said that although Micah Pate was shot, the department is awaiting a ruling from the Shelby County Medical Examiner on the cause of death.

Thomas Pate was issued a state handgun carry permit in 2006, according to The Commercial Appeal's gun database. Micah Pate was issued one a year later.

Bartlett Insp. Jeff Cox, who heads the department's investigative services division, said Thomas Pate was never eliminated as a suspect after reporting his wife missing.

Investigators have not released a motive for the crime.

On Thursday, Thomas Pate told police his wife, dressed in pants and a long-sleeved shirt, left their home at 3591 Foxfield Trail at about 8:30 p.m. to go running. Her purse, cell phone and keys were left behind.

About two hours later, he called police and said she hadn't returned.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/03/husband-charged-in-wifes-slaying/

 

[Kalehue]

I don't know that I'm buying the whole accidental thing.

 

[Whisper]

Bartlett murder suspect cries as alleged confession plays
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A Bartlett man accused of killing his wife and then trying to cover up the crime cried Thursday in court as he heard tapes of his alleged confession to his father.
Thomas Pate's wife Micah disappeared last April. Pate told Bartlett police his wife went for a jog and never came home.

Pate admitted he shot his wife and dumped her body on the banks of the Loosahatchie River on tape, but jurors may never hear Pate's confession to the crime.
One day after Micah Pate's disappearance, Thomas Pate was questioned by Bartlett detectives. Eight hours into the interrogation, detectives were getting nowhere.
"He was basically uncooperative the whole time," said Det. Michael Martin. "He wanted to speak to his father the whole time."
When Pate's father stepped into the interrogation room, things began to change and it was all caught on tape.
"You know I'll go to hell and back to help you," said Pate's father, Thomas Pate, Sr, "but I cannot help you if you don't tell me the truth."
In court Thursday, Thomas Pate, Jr. sobbed as he relived the emotional conversation between he and his father.
"Thomas, look at me," Pate, Sr. said. "Where's Micah?"
Finally, Thomas Pate, Jr. confessed.
"Did you kill Mcah?" Pate, Sr. asked. "Yeah," Pate, Jr. replied.
Micah Pate's family wept in the courtroom as Thomas Pate, Jr. told his father where his wife's body could be found.
Thomas Pate, Jr's attorneys said his confession to his father should not be played for a jury because his father told him none of what he said that day would incriminate him. A Bartlett investigator clarified that it could.
Prosecutors argued that both men knew the tape was rolling and Pate, Jr. had already been read his rights after failing a polygraph test.
[...]
A judge said he needed time to rule on whether the tape will make it to trial.in court

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=12360651

 

[misfirefly]

Why does our justice system bend over backwards to prevent convicting criminals?