David Pate, a Lancaster man with "Satan" tattooed on his face and a split pierced tongue, who has been jailed since 2013 for killing a friend and leaving the body to be found, pleaded guilty to murder Thursday morning in court.

Prosecutors said Pate killed Rickey James in October of 2013 and buried his body in the woods.

Shortly after Pate pleaded guilty the judge sentenced him to life in prison.

Investigators said DNA tests led to the murder charge but they still don't know how James died.

Pate faces 30 years to life in prison.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez