[music playing]
NARRATOR: Next, we go to a hearing in Breckenridge County,
Kentucky, where the defendant is not typically the one
standing before the judge.
The accused is Todd Pate, the former sheriff
of Breckenridge County.
He's charged with assault; operating under the influence,
his second offense; criminal mischief;
and leaving the scene of an accident.
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A year earlier, while driving his personal vehicle,
Pate allegedly caused a crash, injuring four people.
He then left the scene.
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When he was arrested later that night,
his blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.
Pate was released on bond and later retired
from the Sheriff's Office.
Today, the 51-year-old is in court
to change his plea from not guilty to guilty,
a decision he's already agreed to in writing.
This will allow him to serve just 75 days in jail
versus a possible sentence of up to 15 years if he went to trial
and was found guilty of all charges.
To make it official, all he has to do
is say the words to Judge Janet Crocker.
At this time, is it your desire to change your plea
from not guilty to guilty?
TODD PATE: Do I have to answer that "yes" or "no," or can
I make somewhat of a statement that--
JANET CROCKER: That is a "yes" or "no" answer, sir.
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TODD PATE: Will I have the opportunity
to say anything further?
If it is your intention to change your plea from not
guilty to guilty, certainly you have an opportunity
to make any statement.
But if it is not your intent to enter a guilty plea
at this time, then I'm going to set your case for jury trial
and you're going to stop wasting my time and everybody
else's time this afternoon.
TODD PATE: Ma'am, I'm not trying to waste your time.
And then your intention to enter a guilty plea
at this time or not, sir?
TODD PATE: No.
Mister--
TODD PATE: Why am I wasting your time, ma'am?
JANET CROCKER: Mr. Chambers.
NARRATOR: The judge ignores the question and checks
in with the prosecution.
TODD PATE: Why am I wasting your time, ma'am?
JANET CROCKER: Mr. Chambers, what is the Commonwealth's
position at this time, sir?
BLAKE CHAMBERS: Your Honor, we would
move to revoke the defendant's bond at this time.
NARRATOR: The judge orders a brief recess, perhaps
hoping Pate's attorney can remind him
he's already agreed to plead guilty.
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Back in court, the judge tries again.
Let's get back on the record and see
if we can sort this out.
At this point in time, what is Mr. Pate's decision with
respect to his guilty pleas?
BLAKE CHAMBERS: So I believe I'll
just let him answer that question,
if it please the court.
JANET CROCKER: All right.
So Mr. Pate--
TODD PATE: Can I say a few things or--
I need to understand what it is that we're doing here today,
Mr. Pate.
Yes.
I had every intention of coming in here today
and entering a guilty plea.
It's difficult for me to enter a guilty plea
for a lot of reasons, and I don't want this court
to think that I am trying to minimize
any responsibility that I had in this situation that occurred.
NARRATOR: The problem is Pate doesn't agree with the assault
charge and believes the prosecutor only added it
because of Pate's position as sheriff
and because Pate rejected an earlier plea deal.
I feel like I'm being very much bullied into doing
something that's not right, and I want this court
to know that Todd Pate holds himself
responsible for everything that he did.
It's hard for me to lay down and plead to felony
charges that don't apply.
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NARRATOR: By this point, the judge has heard enough.
Is it your intention today to enter this guilty plea?
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And if I could address--
This is either a "yes" or "no."
Are you going to enter your plea or not?
I guess everybody thinks it's funny.
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Let me just plea and get it over with for everybody,
plead to something that I absolutely
do not feel good about.
But I don't want you to try to send me to the penitentiary
for years and years.
If you can sleep with it, I can sleep with it.
NARRATOR: Pate's attorney looks frustrated
while the judge is fed up with Pate's flip-flopping.
TODD PATE: Probably unusual--
I think we're done.
At this point in time, I think we're done.
Where I think we are today is that, on the one hand,
the Commonwealth can enforce the terms of this agreement
based on the execution.
Mr. Pate, I am talking at this point in time.
TODD PATE: OK. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
JANET CROCKER: At this point in time,
I'm going to sustain the Commonwealth's
motion to revoke his bond.
He will be taken into the custody
and housed in the Breckenridge County Jail.
TODD PATE: Your honor, if I may speak to Mr. Chambers's
motion to revoke the bond.
I've already ruled.
I've already ruled at this point in time.
We're done at this point in time,
and he's going into jail today.
[music playing]
NARRATOR: Pate eventually pled guilty and accepted the terms
of his sentence, 75 days in a county jail
with credit for time served.