Gregory Sangle Found Guilty of 2023 Murder of his Neighbor
Jury Finds Clay County Man Guilty of Possessing Firearm, Animal Cruelty
Published on: July 20, 2021
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
www.sao4th.com
Melissa W Nelson
State Attorney
311 West Monroe Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202-4242
(904) 255-2500
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces Richard Pate, of Keystone Heights, was found guilty by a jury of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Animal Cruelty. Pate now faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Don Lester on Aug. 3, 2021.
On Aug. 1, 2020, Pate was at his residence with his family and a couple of friends. Pate’s dog growled at a 3-year-old child, which resulted in Pate grabbing the dog, taking him to a bathroom, and striking him multiple times. In the process, the dog bit Pate, causing him to become angry and taking the dog to the front porch. Pate returned to his bedroom, retrieved a revolver, then went back to the front porch and shot the dog in the head and another round into the ground. Pate was previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from having a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ashley Young Terry and Jamie Cona.