Three Kentucky men charged in an October 2019 slaying

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police have charged three men in the 2019 slaying of a Franklin County man. State police say 37-year-old Samuel Payne, 19-year-old Damaja Hardy, and 19-year-old Kendrick Bixler have each been charged with one count of murder. Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies say they found 73-year-old Ronald Thornton suffering from life-threatening injuries in his home on Oct. 1, 2019. Deputies went to the home after a hang-up call was received. Thornton was later pronounced dead at the scene. A month later, a juvenile was charged with murder in Thornton’s death. It’s unclear whether Payne, Hardy or Bixler have attorneys who would comment on their behalf.