Trial date set in Greg Tate case

Five and a half years after being accused of criminal conspiracy to commit second degree battery, Joseph “Greg” Tate’s day to face a jury of his peers has been set for August 21, 2017.
The trial date was set at a motion hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, by former Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Harry F. Randow. The retired judge from Rapides Parish was selected by the Supreme Court of La. to be the presiding judge over this matter in Evangeline Parish after Judge Chuck West recused himself from hearing the case due to a conflict of interest and Judge Gary Ortego - who was originally presiding over this case - recused himself in September of last year.
Tate was charged in this matter in 2011 after Michael Nelson and Gerald Alfred, who worked for Tate during his campaign to become the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court, accused the Ville Platte business owner of hiring someone to beat them up.
Following the hearing, Nelson said, “All I want is justice and justice has been taking too long. But, I am glad that we are finally going to trial because this will give me and my family the closure we need. No matter what the outcome, it just feels good knowing that we will finally get closure.”
Alfred echoed these same sentiments by stating, “If it’s God’s will that justice be served than that’s what I am searching for.”
Tate however still maintains his innocence, and following last week’s hearing, Fusilier said, “The defense is ready for trial. My client strongly proclaims his innocence and he feels that he will be exonerated by the jury.”