In a tragic turn of events, a woman, identified as 25-year-old Hannah Payne, has been found guilty of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and weapons possession charges following a deadly altercation that occurred after a minor traffic collision. The verdict was delivered by a jury in Clayton County court after just two hours of deliberation.

The incident took place on May 7, 2019, when Payne witnessed 62-year-old Kenneth Herring run a red light and collide with a semi-truck in his Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Payne, who was not involved in the crash, pulled over to call 911 and report the incident. Witnesses testified that Herring appeared disoriented and exhibited symptoms of a diabetic shock at the time.

Despite being advised four times by 911 dispatchers not to pursue Herring, Payne decided to chase him in her Jeep in an attempt to obtain his license plate number. Payne claimed that she believed she was acting as a messenger for law enforcement. However, witnesses contradicted her testimony, stating that she cut off Herring with her car, exited her vehicle, and punched him following the collision.

Witnesses further testified that Payne brandished her hip-holstered gun and threatened to shoot Herring twice before ultimately shooting him. Prosecutors refuted Payne's assertion that the gun went off accidentally during a struggle, arguing that she used deadly force while not facing a threat to her own life.

During her trial, Payne tearfully claimed that she drew her weapon in self-defense after Herring knocked her phone out of her hand, grabbed her by her shirt, and dragged her alongside his vehicle. She stated that she announced she had a gun but was forced to unholster it when Herring refused to let go.

Following the shooting, Payne immediately called for an ambulance, as captured in recorded 911 calls. Body camera footage from a responding police officer also showed Payne expressing confusion and fear, claiming she was overwhelmed and unsure of what had transpired.

The jury's verdict left Payne visibly distraught as she sobbed while hearing the decision. Her sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday. The defense attorney, Matt Tucker, has requested that the judge poll each juror after the reading of the verdict.

The family of Kenneth Herring, who was killed in the altercation, expressed relief upon hearing the guilty verdict. Jacqueline Herring, one of Herring's sisters, stated that the Clayton County jury "did its job." The emotional toll on both families involved in the tragic incident is undeniable.

As this case comes to a close, the search for justice is far from over. The aftermath of the altercation serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of de-escalation and the potential consequences that can arise when conflicts escalate to the use of deadly force.