LANCASTER, S.C. (AP) – A 25-year-old Lancaster man who admitted to stabbing a black man he just met 39 times has been sentenced to life in prison.
The Herald of Rock Hill reports Thursday,
The Herald of Rock Hill reports Thursday,
David Pate pleaded guilty to murder in the 2013 death of 33-year-old Rickey James. The white man with “Satan” tattooed on his face said in a video confession that he lured James into the woods with wine because he wanted to cut his head off. He says he covered up the body the next day in case he wanted to kill someone else there.
Children found James’ decomposing remains in the woods Nov. 16, about a month later. Police found at least 20 knives in Pate’s home.
Pate had been imprisoned for burglary and other crimes since age 17.
Pate had been imprisoned for burglary and other crimes since age 17.