September 21, 2026

Aubrey Pate Sentenced in Manslaughter Case

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

September 21, 2026

MOBILE, Ala. A Wilmer man who was found guilty of reckless manslaughter in a locally known runner’s death has been sentenced to a long prison term on Friday.

In the courtroom, a visibly upset and emotional Aubrey Pate, 27, stood before a judge and the family and friends of Victor Birch Friday morning, asking for forgiveness after taking the life of the 61-year-old runner.

Pate was originally charged with reckless murder in the death of 61-year-old Victor Birch but was convicted of the lesser charge after around 90 minutes of deliberation.

“He hates it. I mean, he is totally remorseful, and those tears were genuine,” Defense Attorney Jeff Deen said.

Judge Vicki Davis sentenced Pate to 15 years in prison, and he’ll have to serve at least three years behind bars.

The prosecutors asked for a harsher sentence, but the family didn’t want that. The victim’s brother, Erich Birch, said that he was content that the judge took their request into consideration.

Pate was convicted of reckless manslaughter in August for the September 2022 head-on collision on Rangeline Road that killed Victor Birch. The family is glad to bring this chapter to a close and find comfort in the many memorials around Mobile County in Victor’s honor.

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