A man accused of murdering his wife in March remains incarcerated, as he awaits mental evaluation.
George Pate, 56, is being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center, a Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office deputy confirmed Tuesday.
Pate, of 415 Eighth St. S., is charged with the murder of his wife, Peggy Pate, who was found dead in the couple”s home on March 11.
She had been shot with a large-caliber handgun; George Pate was found nearby, unconscious from ingesting a pharmaceutical cocktail.
He was revived at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle then spent more than a week at Baptist Behavioral Health -Willowbrook, due to concerns he was suicidal, before being jailed.
On March 25, 16th Circuit Court Judge Jim Kitchens rejected George Pate”s request for a court-appointed attorney.
Municipal Court Judge Curtis Austin set George Pate”s bond at $750,000 during a brief hearing on April 16.
He was arraigned on Aug. 17 and was denied bond; days later, on Aug. 24, Kitchens ordered a mental evaluation to decide whether or not George Pate is competent to stand trial.
Suspects held in Lowndes County usually are transported to East Mississippi State Hospital in Meridian for mental evaluation.
It is unknown when George Pate will be transported for the evaluation, but if he is deemed competent to stand trial, the case likely will be heard during the February term of 16th Circuit Court in Lowndes County.
The session begins the second Monday of February and lasts 18 days.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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