On the night of April 4, 2020, in Topeka, Kansas, a tragic series of events led to the death of D'Angelo L. Payne, a 28-year-old Black/African American male. Responding to reports of gunshots and a subsequent vehicle crash, police arrived at the scene in central Topeka to find Payne inside a car. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced deceased at the location near S.W. 5th and Western Ave.
The investigation into the homicide quickly moved forward.
Within days, investigators executed search warrants which led them to identify several individuals connected to the shooting. The Topeka Police Department took multiple men into custody for questioning, resulting in the arrest of the primary suspects. The investigation revealed a conspiracy rooted in personal grievances. The prosecution's case centered on the belief that two of the men, who were cousins, resented Payne's relationship with a woman and felt he had disrespected their family.
Three men were ultimately held responsible for the death of D'Angelo Payne. James D. Boatwright was convicted of premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy, and criminal discharge of a firearm. He received a "Hard 50" sentence, committing him to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years. A second suspect, Davontra L. Alston, was also found guilty of first-degree murder and related crimes, receiving a life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 51 and a half years. The third man, Diquan D. Clayton, reached a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. His sentence was life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years.
