Idaho's Supreme Court handed down a decision to reverse the death sentence for Darrell Payne

Idaho's Supreme Court handed down a decision to reverse the death sentence for Darrell Payne. Payne was sentenced on May 30, 2002 (see) for the July 2000 kidnapping, rape and murder of Samantha Maher, 22. The court says statements made by the victim's family and friends during the sentencing phase were unconstitutional because they offered specific sentencing recommendations. Because of this, Payne will receive a new sentencing hearing.