A custody exchange between Kierra Lane and the father of her children ended with the 25-year-old woman being fatally shot inside the doorway of her Covington home.
Mario Payne, the children’s father and the man accused of shooting her, appeared in Kenton County Circuit Court on Dec. 9 as his murder trial began.
Payne, 40, was indicted in March 2024 on charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm. His trial comes nearly two years after Lane’s death.
Prosecutors argued that Payne intentionally killed Lane by shooting her multiple times just steps from her family.
“His actions are what brought us here today,” Assistant Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Taylor Roof said. “The life that he took, that is why we are here.”
Sister was just feet away during Covington shooting
Witnesses told police the pair were exchanging custody of their children on Jan. 6, 2024, according to a criminal complaint.
Lane and Payne planned to meet at the Kroger in Latonia that day, but Payne followed her home to pick up clothes and other items so the children could stay the night with him, according to trial testimony.
After they arrived at the West 34th Street apartment, Lane and Payne discussed her new relationship, said Lane’s sister, Nivea Conrad.
As Lane began to close the entrance to the apartment building, the first shot rang out, Conrad said. She was standing just behind the door, only a few feet from her sister.
Conrad testified that Lane was sitting on the floor after the first shot. She said Payne then pointed the gun at her before turning it back toward Lane and firing three more rounds.
First responders found Lane just inside the front door, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conrad said she didn’t see Payne with a gun before the shooting, nor did he say anything about being armed.
Investigators said Payne fled after the shooting, leaving his children behind. Louisville police found him two days later, and he was hospitalized for a suicide attempt.
Prosecutors said Payne admitted to the shooting during an interview with Covington police at the hospital and said he disposed of the weapon while on the run. The gun was never recovered.
Attorney argues shooting was accidental
Alex Lacy, Payne’s public defender, said the shooting was accidental and that he didn’t intend to kill Lane.
Lacy said Payne was standing on the porch, talking with Lane, and went to return a small-caliber handgun he had borrowed when it discharged. Lane was struck by as many as four rounds, she said.
“Accidents do happen and that is what happened here,” Lacy said.
Payne was legally barred from owning a firearm due to previous felony drug convictions.
Payne faces the possibility of a life sentence
If convicted of murder, he faces a potential sentence of 20 to 50 years or life in prison. The jury will decide on a sentencing recommendation.
During a Dec. 8 hearing, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said his office has not offered Payne a plea deal, as prosecutors are pursuing a life sentence.
The trial is expected to continue Dec. 10 with more testimony. Payne remains in custody at the Kenton County Detention Center as the trial proceeds.
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