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January 25, 2007
State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction of Everett Wallace
Newcomb, Jr., on a charge of second-degree murder.
A three man, three woman Washington County jury deliberated about 30
minutes–including taking time to eat lunch–before finding Newcomb, 46, of
501 Floyd Place in Chipley, guilty as charged in the May 20, 2006, murder of
81-year old Arline Payne. Ms. Payne suffered a broken neck and was stabbed
in her bedroom. Newcomb had lived in the home with his victim.
Included in the evidence collected by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
and presented in the three and one-half day trial were two bloody knives, a
paper towel with which the defendant cleaned blood off his sneakers, and
blood stains on his jeans.
Circuit Court Judge Allen Register sentenced Newcomb, immediately, to the
maximum of life in prison. Under Florida law, a life sentence means that
Newcomb will die in prison.
“We are very pleased with the verdict and the sentence imposed by Judge
Register,” said Meadows. “Ms. Payne was, by all accounts a good woman.
Justice was served by Newcomb’s conviction and the maximum sentence
imposed.”
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