THREE LIFE SENTENCES FOR “MR. ‘X’”

Jury Convicts Killer for Murder, Rape and Mutilation of Victim

Atlanta - Case closed. The fifteen-year old, once unsolved murder case of 39-year old Valerie Payton, has now ended with the successful prosecution of her killer. Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by jury trial of Michael Harvey, 49. Harvey was convicted this morning of Murder, Felony Murder (three counts) Rape, Aggravated Sodomy and Aggravated Assault in the 1994 strangulation death and rape of Ms. Payton. Harvey was immediately sentenced to three consecutive life sentences by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance Russell.

The victim’s nude body was discovered in a wooded area at the corner of Wylie and Flat Shoals Avenue in Southeast Atlanta on October 19, 1994. Not only was Ms. Payton strangled and sexually assaulted, her body was mutilated following her death with more than fifty carvings. A photo of her eight-year old son was left on her stomach with a note written on the back in block-style capital letters saying, “I’m back Atlanta, Mr. X.” The young child had searched for his missing mother on his birthday--a day before her body was discovered.

Ms. Payton was killed during the height of several unsolved murders targeting Atlanta prostitutes in the early ‘90’s. Her case went unsolved for more than a decade until there was a CODIS DNA hit linking Michael Harvey to the crime in 2005. Following the match, The District Attorney’s Multi-Agency Cold Case Squad conducted an extensive investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Harvey. The defendant never took the stand, but claimed he had consensual sex with Ms. Payton but did not kill her.

Michael Harvey has an extensive criminal history including felony convictions for aggravated assault, attempted rape, burglary and car theft. Says District Attorney Howard, “We are relieved and satisfied with the jury’s verdict. Justice has been a long-time coming for this victim and her loved ones. Finally, this killer is off the streets and held accountable for his despicable actions. Michael Harvey has gotten exactly what he deserves.”

Executive District Attorney Sheila Ross, Director of the Multi-Agency Cold Case Squad led the prosecution of State vs. Michael Harvey with assistance from ADA Kimani King and APD Detective Vince Velazquez, who is also assigned to the Cold Case Squad.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov