Jacksonville man found guilty of armed sexual battery in 1996 cold case

Terrence Payne found guilty by jury, state attorney's office says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man has been convicted of armed sexual battery in a 1996 cold case, the state attorney's office said.

Terrence Payne, 44, was found guilty by a jury.

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The state attorney's office said that Payne and three others were together in a Southside motel room on Oct. 19, 1996.

Payne slipped out of the motel room at some point in the evening and went to the victim's Arlington home, where he raped her at knifepoint in her bedroom, the state attorney's office said.

The victim, who was in her 40s at the time, fought the attack and was left with lacerations on her neck and hands. The state attorney's office said the victim was able to provide a general description of Payne, but was unable to identify him because his face was concealed.

The victim immediately reported the assault and was taken in for a sexual assault exam. The state attorney's office said the victim's rape kit was tested for DNA in September 2014, and results later identified Payne as the perpetrator.

Payne now faces a maximum of life in Florida State Prison, the state attorney's office said. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled the week of Nov. 6.