Pickens Man Details Wife's Murder

A Pickens County man described how he methodically planned his wife's murder for six months. That evidence was revealed Tuesday in court when Quinton Ray pled guilty to murder and kidnapping.

Ray was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in a Jasper court room. He admitted strangling his wife Sue Ann Ray in August of 2005. She was missing for six months until her body was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area of northern Cherokee County.

In court, Pickens County District Attorney Joe Hendricks read a transcript from an audio-taped conversation ray had with a confidential informant. In that conversation, Ray detailed a six month plan to kill his wife. He also talked about how he worked out for five months so that he would be strong enough to carry her body into the woods.

The plea avoids a trial. If he had gone to trial, prosecutors would have sought the death penalty. District Attorney Hendricks said after the plea and sentencing "It was not a situation where he was upset about his wife's infidelity and lost it, he had clearly been planning this for a period of time."

Sue Ann Ray's sister Sandy Chasm said "It's kind of hard to hear him just laughing and cutting up about what he did to my sister." Ray told the informant that it took him 90-seconds to kill Sue Ann. He said he told her "You can fight, but it won't do no good." He then placed his arm around her neck and pulled every time she let out a breath.

Ray told the informant he dug the grave five months before he murdered his wife. He said he had no regrets and no conscience. When the informant asked him if he felt guilty, Ray responded "I wouldn't have spent six months planning if I was gonna feel guilty about it."

Ray's attorney Douglas Ramseur said "Those statement were made while he was intoxicated, while he was under the influence of alcohol." Ramseur said his client is remorseful. Sandy Chasm said "He planned it for six months; he worked out for five months so he could carry her body, that?s not someone who cares."

Quinton Ray will be eligible for parole in twenty-years. He will be 48-years old. Sue Ann Ray's family said they will do everything possible to make sure he doesn't get it. Sandy Chasm said she will start a letter-writing campaign to the parole board this week.

Quinton Ray's father Daniel Ray also entered a plea in court Tuesday. He was charged with hindering the apprehension of a suspect. Daniel Ray was sentenced to five years probation. Investigators said he helped his son dump his wife's car in a Woodstock shopping center to divert police.