Condemned Tennessee inmate claims innocence, seeks DNA tests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee inmate scheduled to be executed in December is asking a Shelby County court to order DNA testing of the evidence in his case. Pervis Payne has always maintained he is innocent in the 1987 stabbing deaths of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter. Payne, who is African American, has said he found and tried to help the victims, who were white, but panicked when he saw a white policeman and ran away. Prosecutors have said Payne was high on cocaine