CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A woman found guilty of murder in the death of a hit-and-run driver in May 2019 was sentenced Friday to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.

Clayton County Superior Court Judge Jewel C. Scott announced the sentence for Hannah Payne, who was found guilty earlier this week of killing Kenneth Herring. Members of the jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning their verdict Tuesday.

Payne’s full sentence is life in prison, with the possibility of parole, plus 13 years consecutive.

On May 7, 2019, 62-year-old Kenneth Herring reportedly hit another car and drove off. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Payne followed Herring, confronted him, and shot him. They say she ignored repeated orders from a 911 operator not to pursue him.

Defense attorneys said she was told to get Herring’s license plate number, so she followed him. They argued Herring shot himself during a struggle with the gun.

The jury found Payne guilty on all counts of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“When I heard the first verdict tears started rolling down my face because at that moment I felt relief,” said Herring’s sister, Jacqueline Herring.

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