A Peoria, Illinois man has been convicted of a terrifying double murder. Rickey J. Payne, aged 35, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Quardreka Payne, and his 8-year-old stepson, Cael Thornton, after a three-day trial. The incident happened during the early morning hours of September 29, 2022, when an argument between the couple took a fatal turn. Payne assaulted Quardreka and then shot her three times. Tragically, he also killed his stepson Cael. Rickey Payne then tried to portray the heinous act as a home invasion before calling 911. The sentencing is scheduled for April 10, with Payne facing natural life imprisonment.
