Guilty But Mentally Ill

PARKE COUNTY, Ind. – A Parke County man faces up to 90 years in prison after he was convicted of three arson charges Friday afternoon by a jury.

He was also found mentally ill.

That means a judge will sentence Jesse Payne, but the Indiana Department of Corrections will evaluate his mental state.

Payne was also found to be a habitual offender.

Sentencing will take place next month.

He set fire to the Bridgeton Covered Bridge, destroying it in 2005 and police believe he planned to burn down the Mansfield Bridge the same night.

The reason for the long delay in Payne’s trial is due to the fact that Payne was previously found not fit to stand trial.