HOUSTON – A man found guilty of the murder of an 8-year-old in 2017 was sentenced to 78 years in prison Wednesday, according to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. In Feb. 2017, 8-year-old De’Maree Adkins was asleep in the backseat of her mother’s car when she was shot and killed after a wreck near the intersection of Fuqua Street and Beltway 8. De’Maree’s mother, Latoyia Thomas, told police at the time that a white Pontiac Grand Prix and a dark four-door sedan were speeding down West Fuqua Street. Later, Jacobe Payton, who was 19 years old at the time, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with De’Maree’s death. Thomas told jurors she thought Payton was a woman because he had long dreadlocks at the time of the shooting.

De’Maree’s mother, Latoyia Thomas, told police at the time that a white Pontiac Grand Prix and a dark four-door sedan were speeding down West Fuqua Street. Later, Jacobe Payton, who was 19 years old, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with De’Maree’s death. Somebody had to pay for what they’ve done,” said Detram Adkins, De’Maree’s father. Family members of De'Maree Adkins tearfully celebrate after Jacobe Payton handed guilty verdict at Fort Bend County courtroom on Feb. 11, 2020. Thomas told jurors she thought Payton was a woman because he had long dreadlocks at the time of the shooting.

RICHMOND, Texas – A man charged with shooting and killing an 8-year-old girl after a crash nearly three years ago got underway in a Fort Bend County courtroom. Prosecutors used their opening statement to remind the jury of the pain and anguish Payton caused by the senseless killing of the young girl. In the defense’s opening statement, attorney James Rivera told jurors the authorities’ position to pin this horrific crime on someone should not overshadow what the evidence showed. Thomas told jurors she thought Payton was female because he had dreadlocks at the time of the shooting. “As he sits here today, he’s an innocent man and he’s an innocent man in this case," Rivera said.