Separate Juries Convict Love, Payne of Attempted Second-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Roderick Stephan Love, Jr., 28, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Armed Robbery, and Xavier Payne, 22, of Jacksonville was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder. Love now faces a sentence of mandatory Life in Florida State Prison as a Prison Releasee Reoffender, while Payne faces a maximum of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda F. McCallum on Oct. 22, 2018.

On May 24, 2017, Love, Payne, and another co-defendant went to the home of the victim who was a family friend of Love’s. They gained entry to the home under false pretense — Payne then pulled a firearm and demanded drugs and money from the victim. When the victim refused, Payne shot him in the hip. Evidence and testimony from a female co-defendant showed Love and Payne shot the victim multiple times and left him for dead in his own bathtub. During that time, they ransacked the house looking for valuables. Love was arrested and interviewed by members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The victim later identified Payne, leading to his arrest. Both men were tried and convicted at trial by separate juries.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Christina Stifler and Elizabeth White.