Lawrence Dority: 5 Key Facts About The Man Sentenced To Life For Adreian Payne's Murder

The legal saga surrounding the 2022 fatal shooting of former NBA player Adreian Payne reached its conclusion in late 2025, with Lawrence Dority being sentenced to life in prison. As of December 15, 2025, the case remains a high-profile example of a self-defense claim rejected by a jury, leading to a life sentence for the Orlando resident. The trial and subsequent sentencing hearing, which featured emotional testimony from both the victim's and the defendant's families, have brought intense scrutiny to the circumstances of the deadly confrontation. This article provides a deep dive into the man at the center of the case, Lawrence Dority, detailing his background, the specifics of the incident, the dramatic trial, and the final, life-altering sentence handed down by the Florida court. The information presented here is current and based on the latest court records and media coverage of the sentencing phase in late 2025.

Lawrence Alexander Dority: A Brief Profile

The man convicted of second-degree murder, Lawrence Alexander Dority, was a resident of Orlando, Florida, whose life was dramatically altered by the confrontation that led to Adreian Payne’s death. Prior to the 2022 incident, Dority was a relatively unknown figure, but his name has since become inextricably linked to the high-profile case.

• Full Name: Lawrence Alexander Dority
• Age: 32 (Born February 1993)
• Residence: Orlando, Florida (specifically on Joel Court, where the shooting occurred)
• Date of Incident: May 9, 2022
• Victim: Adreian Payne (Former NBA player for the Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks)
• Charge: First-Degree Murder (later convicted of Second-Degree Murder)
• Conviction Date: July 2025
• Sentencing Date: August 29, 2025
• Sentence: Life in State Prison

The Fatal Confrontation and Self-Defense Claim

The tragedy unfolded on May 9, 2022, outside Lawrence Dority’s home on Joel Court in Orlando, Florida. The incident began as a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into violence.

The Circumstances Leading to the Shooting

According to trial testimony, Adreian Payne, a former Michigan State basketball standout and NBA player, arrived at Dority’s residence in an attempt to intervene in a domestic dispute involving his girlfriend and Dority. The argument between Dority and Payne began outside the home. Dority claimed during his testimony that Payne had threatened him and that he believed the former athlete possessed a firearm. Feeling his life was in danger, Dority retreated inside his home to retrieve his own weapon. He then returned outside and fired a single shot at Payne, who was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Dority’s Testimony and the Self-Defense Argument

The core of the defense strategy during the trial was a claim of self-defense. Lawrence Dority took the stand, a risky move in any murder trial, and tearfully testified that he shot Payne because he genuinely believed his life was at risk. His argument centered on the idea that he felt threatened by the former professional athlete during the confrontation. Dority told investigators he believed Payne had a gun, which prompted him to retrieve his own weapon. However, the prosecution successfully argued that Dority’s actions went beyond the legal definition of self-defense. The jury ultimately rejected the argument, finding him guilty of second-degree murder in July 2025. The conviction indicated that the jury believed Dority acted with malice and intent, or that his use of deadly force was not reasonably necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.

The Emotional Sentencing and Life Sentence

The sentencing phase in August 2025 was marked by high emotion, with both families making impassioned pleas to the court. Lawrence Dority was ultimately sentenced to life in prison for the second-degree murder conviction.

A Life Sentence and Outburst

On August 29, 2025, the judge handed down the maximum penalty: a life sentence in state prison. The sentencing hearing was a dramatic affair. Dority himself expressed remorse for the shooting, acknowledging the pain he had caused. However, the gravity of the situation and the emotional toll of the trial became apparent when, immediately following the sentencing, Dority directed a verbal outburst at a witness—identified in reports as Walker—who had testified against him. This moment underscored the intense, volatile nature of the entire case.

Family Pleas and Victim Impact Statements

The hearing included powerful testimony from both sides, highlighting the devastating impact of the murder. Dority’s family members took the stand, begging the judge for leniency and mercy for their loved one. Conversely, Adreian Payne’s family delivered heartbreaking victim impact statements. Payne’s brother and his girlfriend at the time of the shooting testified about the deep loss. Payne’s brother stated that Dority’s choice to shoot "took a life, broke a family, and destroyed a child," referencing Payne’s young daughter. These statements were crucial in illustrating the irreparable damage caused by the crime and likely influenced the court's decision to impose the maximum sentence.

The Long-Term Impact of the Dority Case

The conviction and life sentence for Lawrence Dority serves as a significant legal precedent in Florida regarding the limits of self-defense claims, especially when the defendant is the one who retrieves a weapon and re-engages in a confrontation. This high-profile case, involving a former NBA player, has drawn national attention to the complexities of stand-your-ground laws and the difficulty juries face in determining intent versus perceived threat. The verdict and subsequent life sentence confirm the court’s view that Dority’s actions were criminal homicide, not a justifiable act of self-preservation. Lawrence Dority will now spend the remainder of his life incarcerated, a final, definitive closure to the tragic 2022 shooting.