KINGMAN – A Meadview man who killed his neighbor and tried to burn down his domicile has been sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Judge Billy Sipe ordered a 20.5-year prison term for Victor Empie, 66, during a June 19 hearing in Kingman.
Empie was convicted of second degree murder and arson of an occupied structure in a plea agreement. Doctors determined he was suffering from an assortment of mental health afflictions when he killed John Payne, 66.
Authorities said Empie used his vehicle to knock Payne’s trailer from its jacks before shooting the victim in the chest when he opened the front door. Empie also tossed a flare at the trailer’s propane line.
Dave Hawkins
