The bail was set in Common Pleas Court by Judge Jeannine Pratt, who continued the arraignment until March 20 because the public defender’s office had a conflict due to representing a co-defendant arrested earlier in the case. A lawyer for Payne will be appointed by Pratt.
Payne is one of five people now charged in the Aug. 24 shooting of a man in the park. Police said the shooting of the man in the chest took place during a drug-related incident. The man received hospital treatment before being released.
Credit: Miami County Jail
Credit: Miami County Jail
The others charged previously were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. They are Derrick Peeples, 27, of Columbus; Courtney McCarel-Kraska, 36, of Troy; Bruce Harms, 51, of Piqua; and Todd Norris, 26, also of Troy. They all face the same charges as Payne except McCarel-Kraska, who also is charged with obstructing justice.
Police alleged Peeples was the one who shot the man.
Trials are scheduled later this month and in April for those arraigned earlier.
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