LOUISA COUNTY, Va. -- A teenager was sentenced to 128 years in prison for killing an 82-year-old man and injuring a 73-year-old woman, the Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office wrote in an email.
Cameryn Anthony Dickerson, 17, had previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, malicious wounding, robbery, burglary, and gun charges in the November 2019 crimes. Dickerson was tried as an adult for killingRoger Payne and shooting Nancy Payne during a home invasion.
"On November 10, 2019, the defendant went to the elderly couple’s home under an alias alleging his girlfriend had been abducted. Authorities believe he was scouting out the home for a future murder," a spokesperson for the Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office wrote. "Two days later he returned to the home telling the couple everything was fine with his girlfriend. He then left and subsequently returned in different clothing and carrying a sawed-off shotgun."
He told the couple he knew they had money, took their phones, and led them outside to nearby train tracks, according to the Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office.
"[He assured] them they would be fine. He then shot both of them at point-blank range," the email continued. "Miraculously, [Nancy Payne] survived by playing dead and walked to a friend’s house after the defendant left the scene."
Dickerson, who investigators said used the stolen money to buy a gift for his girlfriend, was arrested hours later driving to his girlfriend's home. He was driving the Payne's car at the time of his arrest. Investigators found the murder weapon in the car, according to the Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office.
The teen’s father told CBS 6 his son struggled with mental health issues.
“This is not my son. I know that’s not him. He’s known for helping people," Andre Dickerson said after a previous court hearing.
Dickerson also apologized to the Payne family for his son's actions and added he felt responsible because he was working all of the time as a single dad.
