Federal grand jury indicts man accused of killing his children

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A Fort Cobb man accused of killing his three young children last month faces a formal arraignment in federal court.<br/><br/>A grand jury on Tuesday found enough evidence to send

Thursday, September 22nd 2005, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A Fort Cobb man accused of killing his three young children last month faces a formal arraignment in federal court.

A grand jury on Tuesday found enough evidence to send the case of Dean Robert Payne to trial.

Federal prosecutors have charged Payne with three counts of murder within Indian country for the August 26th fatal shootings of 9-year-old Ciera Payne; 7-year-old Keelie Payne and 5-year-old Tye Payne.

US Attorney John Richter alleges Payne told investigators he shot his children and tried unsuccessfully to take his own life before setting the house on fire.

At the arraignment, Payne will have to enter a plea of guilt or innocence. If he pleads not guilty, a trial date will be set.