Posted at 1:03 PM, July 30, 2025
and last updated 1:04 PM, July 30, 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida man faces decades behind bars after he was convicted of murdering a former NBA player.
Lawrence Dority is charged with the murder of Adreian Payne. (Orange County Corrections)
Lawrence Dority was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Adreian De Angelo Payne, a former Michigan State standout who later played for the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks. Dority had admitted to shooting Payne, but insisted he acted in self-defense.
On May 9, 2022, Dority and his 10-year-old son returned home in a car driven by Dority’s father. When they arrived, they noticed a vehicle parked on the road near Dority’s townhome. Dority got out of the vehicle and walked over, where he was seen speaking with the driver, described by Dority’s father as being “very tall, possibly seven feet.”
The driver, who was killed by a single bullet fired by Dority, was later identified as Payne. According to court documents reviewed by Court TV, Payne was in a relationship with a woman who was friends with Dority’s girlfriend.
While witnesses say that Payne was not threatening Dority and had no weapons, Dority told a very different story. He told officers that Payne had “no business” being at his home and shouldn’t have even known where he lived. Dority said he interpreted Payne’s presence as a threat, and said Payne further told him, “I’ll smoke you, bruh,” which Dority took to mean he was armed. After hearing what he perceived as a threat, Dority said he went into his home, retrieved his gun, and went outside to find that Payne’s vehicle had moved slightly, but was still within 40 feet of his townhouse. Dority said he fired a single shot with a goal of protecting himself, his family and his property.
Dority claimed immunity from prosecution under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, but the motion was denied. At trial, Dority took the stand in his own defense and emphasized that he feared for his family’s safety.
Dority is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29.
DAY 2 – 7/30/25
Prosecutor Michael Smith delivered the State’s closing argument.
Tara Walker begged the defendant not to pull out his gun or shoot but he ignored her and killed Adreian Payne anyway.
Killing was not justified, not in response to a real threat, and not a heat-of-passion act, just a result of anger and intoxication.
Defendant’s emotional display on the stand lacked credibility, possibly crocodile tears meant to manipulate the jury.
Walker’s testimony was more consistent with video and audio evidence than the defendant’s version of events.
Dority was the one who approached Payne’s car, not the other way around; this was not self-defense but a deliberate act—second-degree murder.
Defense Attorney Harold Thompson delivered his closing argument.
Dority believed the car parked outside at 1:30 a.m. was suspicious; when Payne exited, he allegedly made a verbal threat (“I’ll smoke you”) and had a silver object on his hip.
Dority freaked out, retreated to his house to get his firearm to protect his son and father—he didn’t escalate, he reacted.
Florida law does not require retreat in your own home; Dority was defending his “castle.”
Dority had no meaningful relationship with Payne and didn’t invite him; Payne allegedly showed up unannounced and behaved aggressively.
Argued self-defense is legally supported and urged jury to acquit Dority, arguing no evidence disproves his account.
Michael Smith delivered the prosecution rebuttal closing.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of second-degree murder.
DAY 1 – 7/29/25
The prosecution and defense delivered opening statements.
Asst. State Attorney Michael Smith stated that on May 9, 2022, the defendant shot and killed Adreian Payne, acting as aggressor.
Defendant armed himself after brief exchange with the unarmed victim outside his home.
Testimony will include observations of the defendant’s intoxication and aggressive behavior.
Key evidence includes surveillance footage and medical examiner’s report confirming homicide.
WATCH: Prosecution: Lawrence Dority Was The Aggressor
Defense Attorney Harold Thompson presented his case as self-defense for Lawrence Dority.
Said Dority encountered a threatening Payne while returning home with family.
Claims Dority asked Payne to leave and shot only when threatened.
Emphasized lack of invitation for Payne and contaminated crime scene.
Final plea: Jurors encouraged to find Dority not guilty.
WATCH: Lawrence Dority’s Attorney: This Is A Clear Case of Self-Defense
Lawrence Dority testified in his own defense.