Jason Payne (Source: Wood County Sheriff's Department)QUITMAN (KLTV)
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 > 12/11/2007-Wood County
A mystery over what went on in an East Texas home. A mother and son are dead, and authorities and friends have more questions than answers. 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.
Jason Payne of Quitman was charged with the December 2007 murders of his wife, Nichole Payne, 35, and 16-year-old stepson, Austin Taylor Wages.
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.
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