Friday (Dec 6), Joshua PAYNE, former Titusville Police officer, entered a plea of guilty to the offense of Manslaughter (F2) in the shooting death of James Lowery (40), while attempting to arrest him in 2021. Circuit Judge Curt Jacobus accepted the plea and heard testimony from the State and Mr. Lowery's family arguing for PAYNE to be adjudicated guilty, while defense attorneys and PAYNE sought a withhold of adjudication. After a brief recess, Judge Jacobus withheld the adjudication of guilt, sentencing PAYNE to the agreed five (5) years of supervised probation. 

As part of the plea, PAYNE will have his certification to work as a police officer permanently revoked and pay compensation for Mr. Lowery's funeral expenses totaling just over $18,000.

In a statement released after the sentencing, State Attorney Phil Archer said "This was a horrific and completely avoidable tragedy. Had Mr. Payne followed his training, he would not have recklessly discharged his firearm killing Mr. Lowery. If the commands to stop and surrender had been followed by Mr. Lowery, he would have survived."

He went on to say, "With today's plea, Mr. Payne accepted personal responsibility for his actions. The sentence includes accountability through supervised probation, provides restitution to the family, and ensures he can never return to law enforcement."