Richmond, KY: Police Say Man Killed Mom And Girlfriend

WRITTEN BY JACQUELINE SPRAGUE
SUNDAY, 05 DECEMBER 2010 01:25

"They didn't deserve this. This is, this is awful," says Christy Miller.
Friends say they are in shock after hearing that their neighbor and her son's girlfriend were shot to death inside a home in the 500-block of Hillsdale Avenue. Richmond Police have charged the son, 37-year-old John Payne with two counts of murder and one count of tampering with evidence.
"We tried to call her all week and the car wasn't there and when she didn't answer the phone, all of a sudden the police pulled up and we knew something was wrong," explains Miller.
Police found the bodies Saturday afternoon but say the two had been dead for a few days. They say Payne was arrested at a hotel in Berea. Neighbors say once they heard about the murders, they weren't surprised Payne was in custody.
"My first thought was John had killed her. He's in and out of jail. She went above and beyond the call of duty as a mom. You know, he was older, he should have at least gotten the picture but when he didn't, she was still right there for him," comments Miller.
And they say they want Payne to pay.
"I think the death penalty is too good for him. I'd like to see him rot in prison for the rest of his life and live with the fact that he killed his mother and his girlfriend," says Miller.
Police say more charges are expected against Payne.