It's been almost 10 months since the crime. Jason Payne was arrested for two counts of murder. His wife 35 year old Nichole Payne, and his stepson 16 year old Austin Taylor Wages were found dead in their Wood County home last December. More >>
Athens Police arrested a sex offender on two charges Thursday.More >>
Athens Police arrested a sex offender on two charges Thursday.More >>
WOOD COUNTY, TX (KLTV) -
Jason Payne, currently serving a life sentence for the murders of his wife and stepson, will stand trial again for the killings. The court says that though the evidence in the case was legally sufficient to support Payne's conviction, the case is remanded for a new trial because the 12th Court of Appeals erred in admitting certain statements during the trial, stating they were inadmissible hearsay.
The State Court of Criminal Appeals said that those statements were likely harmful, so they have granted a new trial.
In December 2007 it was reported Payne actually dialed 9-1-1 after discovering the bodies inside his Quitman home. The victims were in separate rooms with gunshot wounds.
Within the months that followed, evidence, such as two large holes which appeared to be graves, were located on the property just behind the residence, leading to the arrest.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:57:54 GMT
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a plane that crashed near East Texas Regional Airport in Gregg County Thursday evening.Sgt. David Roberts with the Rusk County Sheriff's Office tells KLTVMore >>
Authorities say pilot, who was alone onboard, did not suffer serious injuries.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:15:40 GMT
Smith County Sheriff's Department responded a short time ago to a call from west Smith county.The call was in the 100 block of Patton Street, south of 64W. When deputies arrived, they say they were toldMore >>
Smith County Sheriff's Department responded a short time ago to a call from west Smith county.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 9:11 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:11:23 GMT
DPS officials confirm that one person is dead following an accident involving a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler .Authorities say the accident happened near the intersection of County Road 2142 and County RoadMore >>
DPS officials confirm that one person is dead following an accident involving a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 3:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 07:24:46 GMT
Fire departments from Arp, Troup and Whitehouse responded to a house fire that broke at approximately 8:30 P.M. Sunday at 210 W Melton St in Troup.More >>
Fire departments from Arp, Troup and Whitehouse responded to a house fire that broke at approximately 8:30 P.M. Sunday at 210 W Melton St in Troup.More >>
Jason Payne (Source: Wood County Sheriff's Department)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WAFF, a Raycom Media Station. 