EVERETT — The manager at an Everett halfway house admitted Wednesday that he killed a boarder two months ago because he wanted to sexually assault the man.
Kenny Jermain Tate could face more than 30 years in prison when he’s sentenced next month.
Tate, 40, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with a deadly weapon. He also admitted that he was motivated to kill Daniel Dubeau, 30, out of a desire to rape the younger man.
Dubeau had refused Tate’s sexual advances, court papers said.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne carefully questioned Tate during Wednesday’s hearing. It’s unusual for a defendant to plead guilty at one of his first court appearances.
Tate’s attorney told Wynne that she was confident her client was competent and understood the consequences of pleading guilty. He had been evaluated by a private psychologist, public defender Natalie Tarantino said.
She also had reviewed with him the discovery provided by prosecutors. Part of those materials included the taped confession Tate gave to Everett police detectives on Dec. 3, the day after Dubeau’s body was discovered in the defendant’s room.
Tarantino told Wynne that Tate’s statements would be admissable if the case went to trial.
Her client wanted to plead guilty at Wednesday’s arraignment hearing in large part because of his “deep, deep regret,” Tarantino said.
Everett detectives reported that Tate told them he had no regrets about killing Dubeau. He said the victim was slow and he was doing Dubeau a favor, court papers said.
The slain man’s family attended Wednesday’s hearing. They gathered around Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Matt Baldock afterward to ask questions.
Baldock will recommend a high-end sentence.
Tate managed the halfway house on Beverly Lane for his stepbrother, according to court documents. He told police he’d been attracted to Dubeau since he first moved in. He lured him to his room with methamphetamine, and he later decided that because Dubeau hadn’t paid for the drugs he was going to have sex with him.
Dubeau refused his advances and Tate started to strangle the victim. He then wrapped a belt around his neck and punched Dubeau until he stopped struggling. He sexually assaulted the victim and watched pornography, court papers said.
He borrowed some gas money from another lodger and drove to a drug house in Lynnwood. He told police he spent the day smoking crack cocaine. He then called 911 to confess to the killing.
Tate also admitted that he’d sexually assaulted two other men in California. He said he’d convinced the victims not to report the crimes.
Tate doesn’t have any prior felony convictions.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
