Published: 9/21/2022


AFTER TWO YEARS, THE JURY TRIAL OF SAMUEL QUENTIN HOBACK HAS NOW BEEN SET. HOBACK OF PROSPECT, TN, WAS CHARGED IN THE MURDER OF A WOMAN WHO WAS SET TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM IN A BOND REVOCATION HEARING IN GILES COUNTY. HE WAS ARRESTED IN 2020 AFTER AUTHORITIES SAY SHE SHOT AND KILLED A 51-YEAR-OLD MELANIE PAYNE AT A HOME ON CAVE BRANCH ROAD IN ELKMONT. SHE HAD BEEN STAYING WITH FRIENDS BECAUSE HE ALLEGEDLY THREATENED HER AND SHOT AT HER HOME IN PROSPECT. A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN SET FOR OCTOBER 18 IN THE LIMESTONE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.