Authorities with the Blair County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that a new trial date has been set in an Altoona double homicide case from May of 2020.
Officials say the trial of Isaiah Payne and Onya Lewis is now “tentatively” scheduled for September 11-29.
Jury selection was previously delayed in the case following a COVID outbreak at the prison.
Payne is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 52-year-old Natalie Washington and 28-year-old Mikal Jackson-Stevenson at a home along Beale Avenue.
If convicted, authorities say they are seeking the death penalty for Payne.
Lewis was later charged with second-degree murder for her role in the shooting.
Police say the two were reportedly selling drugs for Jackson-Stevenson out of Washington’s home along the 2600 block of Beale Ave.
Police allege that several people complained that they were being “ripped off” by Payne and Lewis, which led to a meeting between them.
Authorities say Payne confessed to killing both victims and reportedly told police that he thought he was being set up.
