Kelly Dinelle Payne...Drunk Driver...Killer
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/chesterfield-va/TI79KBG575K8NK220#.TqcaBLJU-OA.blogger
I've had a long time to think about different things I've said and wanted to say about or to Kelly, the woman who killed my best friend. And none of it has been kind, nice, or easy to swallow.
Here's a little background for you:
In 2001, Kelly Payne struck and killed 13 year old Elizabeth Melton in Jackson, Tennessee. In May 2002, Payne pleaded guilty and was given sentences of five years for vehicular homicide and a concurrent two year term for leaving the scene of an accident. She was denied parole, but was released after 3 1/2 years in October, 2005.
Virginia law is much more serious about this crime. Payne was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony hit and run in connection with Patel's death. She was sentenced to 46 years in prison.
I've recently finished reading The Shack by WM. Paul Young. It is an extremely detailed insight to the Great Sadness that took over his life. And for those of you who may not know me, losing Rose was one of the deepest moments to hit my life. It's taken me a long time to find my peace with God again.
I was twelve when Rose died. I was hundreds of miles away in another state. It was the most sickening phone call I had received while I was away visiting friends and family. Calling to check in at home and say hello to the family I missed resulted in the worst news of my life.
It wasn't until August 2015, fourteen years after losing my best friend that I got to go to her grave and say goodbye.
There was so much anger inside of me. I begged to be taken to her grave, to know where she was buried. When I turned eighteen, the need to know where my friend was buried was boiling inside of me, and I started searching, finding others who knew where she was laid to rest. But then having the means to go and the ability, I was afraid. I was about to turn 27 when I went to see her. I was gifted with the chance to spend time with Missy, Rose's mom, who had always been like a mother to me.
Now it's been two more years, and I've had my time to think and let the sadness finally settle. After reading The Shack, I received a better understanding on how to move forward. The pain will never go away. I know that. I guess I've always known that, but I can take a deep breath now. Instead of anger and hatred towards the woman who took away my best friend, I want to wish her the ability to find God.
Every person deserves to be loved, regardless of the pain and heart ache that they cause in others. I understand that now. Kelly is still a child of God; a loving God, who has never given up on any of us. Kelly, if by some chance you ever read this...I forgive you. I forgive you for taking away one of the most precious people who had entered my life. And I pray that you find God in your future. I pray that you find healing and peace.
I've had a long time to think about different things I've said and wanted to say about or to Kelly, the woman who killed my best friend. And none of it has been kind, nice, or easy to swallow.
Here's a little background for you:
In 2001, Kelly Payne struck and killed 13 year old Elizabeth Melton in Jackson, Tennessee. In May 2002, Payne pleaded guilty and was given sentences of five years for vehicular homicide and a concurrent two year term for leaving the scene of an accident. She was denied parole, but was released after 3 1/2 years in October, 2005.
Five months later she killed again in Virginia. Payne was drunk and driving her boyfriend's truck home from work when she lurched off the pavement and struck Ashokkumar M. Patel as he walked alongside the westbound lanes of Midlothian Turnpike at the entrance ramp to northbound Chippenham Parkway. At the time, she was fleeing from a rear end accident she had caused. She kept on going after hitting Patel, speeding up the northbound ramp and onto the parkway on her way to a bar. Afterward, she said she did not remember what had happened.
Virginia law is much more serious about this crime. Payne was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony hit and run in connection with Patel's death. She was sentenced to 46 years in prison.
Tennessee continues to punish vehicular homicide as a nonviolent crime. Offenders are eligible for release after serving 30% of the sentence. Payne was denied parole, but released after accumulating good time credits.
I've recently finished reading The Shack by WM. Paul Young. It is an extremely detailed insight to the Great Sadness that took over his life. And for those of you who may not know me, losing Rose was one of the deepest moments to hit my life. It's taken me a long time to find my peace with God again.
I was twelve when Rose died. I was hundreds of miles away in another state. It was the most sickening phone call I had received while I was away visiting friends and family. Calling to check in at home and say hello to the family I missed resulted in the worst news of my life.
It wasn't until August 2015, fourteen years after losing my best friend that I got to go to her grave and say goodbye.
There was so much anger inside of me. I begged to be taken to her grave, to know where she was buried. When I turned eighteen, the need to know where my friend was buried was boiling inside of me, and I started searching, finding others who knew where she was laid to rest. But then having the means to go and the ability, I was afraid. I was about to turn 27 when I went to see her. I was gifted with the chance to spend time with Missy, Rose's mom, who had always been like a mother to me.
Now it's been two more years, and I've had my time to think and let the sadness finally settle. After reading The Shack, I received a better understanding on how to move forward. The pain will never go away. I know that. I guess I've always known that, but I can take a deep breath now. Instead of anger and hatred towards the woman who took away my best friend, I want to wish her the ability to find God.
Every person deserves to be loved, regardless of the pain and heart ache that they cause in others. I understand that now. Kelly is still a child of God; a loving God, who has never given up on any of us. Kelly, if by some chance you ever read this...I forgive you. I forgive you for taking away one of the most precious people who had entered my life. And I pray that you find God in your future. I pray that you find healing and peace.
Comments
Post a Comment