Teenager gets 20-year prison term for fatal shooting

A teenager from Springfield who fatally shot another man in his home out of revenge nearly three years ago received a 20-year prison sentence last Friday. Kaleb Moore, 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last June for the death of Curtis Payne, 31, in February 2014.

Moore was 16 when Payne was killed but was tried as an adult. Investigators say he, Jeremiah Devaliti, and Tyler Keithley broke into Payne's home in Springfield, while their friend, Kearstain Sleeth, waited outside in a vehicle. Sleeth told detectives that she thought the men were going to "beat up" Payne because Payne had assaulted her.

Detectives learned the three men confronted Payne, and then Moore shot Payne multiple times with a handgun before Devaliti shot him once with a shotgun. Payne’s aunt, uncle, and their two children, ages 8 and 14, were home with him when he was shot.

Devaliti also is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Charges are pending against Sleeth and Keithley.