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Payne ends for Faith's family, friends
It was a familiar sound that accompanied Lemuel Payne as he left a Sharon Hill court in handcuffs yesterday: Silence.
Payne had no comment on the charges that he was the driver of the black Mercedes that struck and killed 16-year-old Faith Sinclair as she tried to cross Chester Pike back on Aug. 3.
It’s the sound that police and Sinclair’s family members struggled with for almost three months, since that fateful Sunday night when the black Mercedes slammed into Faith, then sped off, leaving her to die in her friends’ arms.
For almost three months, Payne was a free man, at least physically. But I would imagine he was anything but free psychologically. In reviewing the charges filed against him Thursday, another picture develops. Payne knew that he had struck someone at that intersection. He also knew that, for whatever reason, he drove off without stopping to render aid or notify police. He obviously learned later on that Faith Sinclair had died. There is every indication that he took steps to hide his damaged car, including stashing it in an Upper Darby garage, where it was found covered with a tarp. The garage’s windows had been recently tinted so someone outside could not see what was inside.
Police found the car in the garage within days. They identified Payne as a person of interest. But he was not charged with any crime. Until Thursday.
Payne surrendered to authorities.
It took 81 days.
I don’t know what Payne did during those 81 days. I know what Faith Sinclair’s friends and family did. Several of them have called to urge the newspaper not to forget Faith’s case, not to let it slip through the cracks. They would often gather at the site to hold vigils for Faith.
Police slowly, tortuously built their case, including using the county Investigative Grand Jury.
I also know what Faith’s mother, Kim Ferrell, did. Just about every day, she would visit either the intersection where her daughter died or the cemetery where she now rests.
She apparently went to the cemetery again yesterday, to tell her daughter that they now know the person police believe is responsible for her death.
As I said, for those 81 days, Lemuel Payne was a free man. But I am guessing he was never free of the demons that chased him ever since police say he fled that intersection after striking and killing Faith Sinclair.
The same kind of demons that maybe now Faith’s family and friends can begin to put to rest.
Payne had no comment on the charges that he was the driver of the black Mercedes that struck and killed 16-year-old Faith Sinclair as she tried to cross Chester Pike back on Aug. 3.
It’s the sound that police and Sinclair’s family members struggled with for almost three months, since that fateful Sunday night when the black Mercedes slammed into Faith, then sped off, leaving her to die in her friends’ arms.
For almost three months, Payne was a free man, at least physically. But I would imagine he was anything but free psychologically. In reviewing the charges filed against him Thursday, another picture develops. Payne knew that he had struck someone at that intersection. He also knew that, for whatever reason, he drove off without stopping to render aid or notify police. He obviously learned later on that Faith Sinclair had died. There is every indication that he took steps to hide his damaged car, including stashing it in an Upper Darby garage, where it was found covered with a tarp. The garage’s windows had been recently tinted so someone outside could not see what was inside.
Police found the car in the garage within days. They identified Payne as a person of interest. But he was not charged with any crime. Until Thursday.
Payne surrendered to authorities.
It took 81 days.
I don’t know what Payne did during those 81 days. I know what Faith Sinclair’s friends and family did. Several of them have called to urge the newspaper not to forget Faith’s case, not to let it slip through the cracks. They would often gather at the site to hold vigils for Faith.
Police slowly, tortuously built their case, including using the county Investigative Grand Jury.
I also know what Faith’s mother, Kim Ferrell, did. Just about every day, she would visit either the intersection where her daughter died or the cemetery where she now rests.
She apparently went to the cemetery again yesterday, to tell her daughter that they now know the person police believe is responsible for her death.
As I said, for those 81 days, Lemuel Payne was a free man. But I am guessing he was never free of the demons that chased him ever since police say he fled that intersection after striking and killing Faith Sinclair.
The same kind of demons that maybe now Faith’s family and friends can begin to put to rest.
posted by Heron's Nest at
8:06 AM
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