Convicted rapist, murderer Darrell Payne sentenced to death for the second time

Statesman staff - Idaho Statesman

Published: 03/12/10

Convicted rapist and murderer Darrell Payne sat expressionless as a jury sentenced him to death, for a second time.
The Ada County jury of three men and nine women deliberated for 11 hours — beginning Thursday afternoon and finishing by 4 p.m. Friday — before deciding on the death penalty for Payne. Payne was originally condemned to death for the 2000 kidnapping, rape and murder of Samantha Maher in 2002.
Payne had his original death sentence overturned by the Idaho Supreme Court in 2008, saying the judge erred when he allowed Maher's family and friends to make victim impact statements during the sentencing that referred to Payne's character.
Testimony began a week ago in the new sentencing hearing.
This jury was told of Payne's other crimes as well. He raped a Boise woman in her apartment and then two 14-year-old girls on the Greenbelt in the summer of 2000 -- just days before he abducted Maher from Julia Davis Park on her way to BSU on July 6, 2000.
Payne is already serving three life sentences, without the possibility of parole, and his attorney Rob Chastain had asked the jury last week to consider if a death sentence makes anything better.
Maher's family and friends said Friday they were relieved the process was finally over and were pleased Darrell Payne will go back on Idaho's Death Row.