CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — A man convicted of a 2010 murder in Clarksburg was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday.
Ennis Charles Payne II, 39, of Clarksburg was found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit burglary by a jury in November.
Judge James Matish ruled that Payne be sentenced to life in prison with mercy on the murder charge and 1-5 years on the conspiracy charge. The sentences will run consecutively.
Before the sentencing, the victim’s family members spoke in favor of Payne being locked away while the victim’s daughter, who was eight-year-old at the time of the murder, spoke in hope of the result bringing closure. The state argued Payne should recieve the maximum sentence due to the fact he should be considered a threat to society, citing his criminal history which includes three other felonies.
In January of 2010, Payne, along with codefendant Darnell Bouie, 37, of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, planned to rob Jayar Poindexter, 30, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, of drugs and money at his Clarksburg residence in the Quarry Apartments while he was not at home. However, when it was discovered that Poindexter was in the residence, Payne shot Poindexter in the chest, killing him.
Additionally, Matish ruled Payne pay restitution in the amount of $11,516.80, with $7,000 being paid to the state crime victims compensation fund and the remaining money to be paid to Poindexter’s mother to help cover funeral and other costs.
Bouie received a similar life sentence in March with similar requirements for paying restitution. Should Bouie be unable to pay his restitution, Payne would assume the responsibility.
Payne has the right to appeal the decision if he submits a request within 30 days.
With the mercy ruling, he will be up for parole 15 years after the date of his incarceration, September 18, 2012.