BOISE, Idaho – For the second time, an Idaho inmate has been sentenced to death for the abduction, rape and murder of Boise State University student Samantha Maher in 2000.
Ada County prosecutors confirmed late Friday that a jury had imposed the death penalty for Darrell Edward Payne, who was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, robbery and rape in 2001.
Fourth District Judge Thomas Neville first sentenced Payne to death in 2002.
The Idaho Supreme Court ordered in December 2008 that Payne be resentenced, saying the judge should have limited the victim impact testimony given during the sentencing and some of the statements were unduly prejudicial.
During the testimony, some of Maher's family members and friends told the judge that Payne should "rot in hell" for the crimes, and that he was evil and less than human.
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