James Pate, aged 93, has been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal stabbing of his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl Pate, during an argument in their car in Pekin, Illinois, on September 2, 2025.
According to an affidavit, James confessed to the police that the couple had a dispute inside their vehicle when he lost control and slit Cheryl’s throat with a knife he retrieved from the center console.
He admitted the act, attributing it to pent-up frustration and stating he “couldn’t take it anymore.” The couple had planned to divorce, which the police say may have contributed to the emotional tension.
James Pate was found covered in blood when officers arrived at the scene. Cheryl was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Peoria County Coroner’s Office confirmed that her death resulted from multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries deemed incompatible with life.
The Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office has since filed a petition to deny James Pate pretrial release, citing the severity of the offense. He remains in custody pending trial.
Details about the length of the couple’s marriage have not been disclosed. The tragic case highlights issues of elder domestic violence and the potential impact of unresolved marital conflicts in late life.
