A Paris, Ill teen has been found guilty of 2nd degree murder.
The jury took 5 ½ hours of deliberations yesterday to convict 17 year old Terry Payton of stabbing his mother, Kathie Payton, to death in June 2011.
Payton’s defense argued that the teen had suffered years of abuse and that he was defending himself from his mother, who he believed, was reaching for a large knife during an argument between the two when he stabbed her.
Payton had been charged with First Degree Murder but the jury decided to reduce that to second degree.
No sentencing hearing has yet been scheduled in the case.
Payton could be sentenced to probation or a maximum of 20 years in prison.
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