Burns Flat Man Accused of Stabbing – Charged in Beckham Co.

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August 18, 2021

By News Director Jared Atha

A Burns Flat man is in the Beckham County Jail after allegedly stabbing another man in the neck.

According to the probable cause affidavit, 62-year-old Joe Lynn Payne was arrested on August 13 when police were contacted to investigate the stabbing that occurred at a home in the 200 block of Sycamore Avenue in Elk City. When police arrived they discovered that a male subject had been taken to Great Plains Regional Medical Center for a severe laceration to the neck and head area. Police were told that the subject allegedly responsible for the injury, Payne, had left the scene and was possibly on his way to his Burns Flat home. Police were notified a short time later that Payne was apprehended and detained by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

An investigation revealed the incident occurred at the home that was owned by Payne’s son who was having a birthday party with family and friends. The homeowner and Payne allegedly got into a verbal argument that turned physical inside the home – in the living room area. Multiple witnesses would tell police that Payne would threaten the son as he was exiting the home, and that the physical altercation would then continue in the front yard.

Payne would tell police that he would retrieve a pocket knife with the intention of hitting his son on the head with it. He would say before he could do that, a family friend would tackle Payne to the ground. Payne claimed that his knife opened as he hit the ground and that he “snapped pretty quick” after being embarrassed that his son had beat him up.

A witness would tell police that they saw Payne make an upward motion with the knife onto the friend’s neck – which resulted in the injury.

Payne was charged on August 17 (Tuesday) with one count of assault with intent to commit a felony, and one count of assault and battery by force likely to produce death.

He is currently being held without bond in the Beckham County Jail.

As of press time, an initial court date has not been scheduled.

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