Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #35

[Shekkiec]

This is what CW wants us to believe. After noticing one of his children dead, blue, and sprawled out on her bed, he stood there, watching while his wife strangled his other child to death. He made no effort to stop the strangulation in process. Then when it was all over, he was very angry, he was enraged, so he walked down the hall, and into the bedroom where his wife was, walked over to her, saying nothing to her, and she said nothing to him, no screams, no loud angry words, then he put his hands around her neck, and he strangled her to death. She made no attempt to stop him or defend herself. She stayed very still and allowed him to kill her.

I believe the arrest warrant information is not quoted as to that being the only sentence he said it is a summery of the event leading to her death and imo the confession may have been more detailed. We are unsure what other information could have not been on it.

 

[Layla123]

Actually, it has a lot to do with this case - and your question.
These documents are assumed to be public. In order to hold them back, you have to meet the “substantial injury to the public” standard - except that isn’t defined anywhere, so they had to interpret it - and they decided it meant something really unusual that the legislature couldn’t have anticipated (because they specifically made autopsy reports public, with no exceptions)

So now you have a statute and interpretation of the language - add in a whole bunch of varying situations and complications and a variety of judges (some more inclined than others to protect the public’s right to know) - and you get this situation.

The bottom line is that they are public documents unless you can meet the standard. The DA may not want to release them for any number of reasons, maybe just because it makes things more complicated, but it doesn’t matter - they are public unless they successfully argue they should be sealed.

I’ve dealt with this myself. We had a really incendiary situation happen and we had video of it. It made the news immediately and was all over the place - all over the country - politicians chiming in. I kept getting FOI requests for the video - which technically was a public record and had to be disclosed. It didn’t meet any of the very narrow exceptions in the statute - but it was clear that if it was released to the media, all hell would break loose. The video showed the exact opposite of what was claimed to have happened. The DA called and explained the situation to me and I said I would see what I could do. I called the Open government entity (they write the opinions) and they agreed with me that it shouldn’t be released - even though technically, it didn’t meet any of the criteria. It was a super unusual situation that would create an enormous problem. Clearly, something the legislature could not have anticipated.

Did you win?

 

[Amandaaa]

Did you win?

Yes - The video was successfully held back until the DA investigated and charged... then it was released. It didn’t take long.

 

[MassGuy]

I believe the arrest warrant information is not quoted as to that being the only sentence he said it is a summery of the event leading to her death and imo the confession may have been more detailed. We are unsure what other information could have not been on it.

Yes, there will be far more detail in his “confession.” Those details can only hurt him at this point.

 

[Layla123]

I believe the arrest warrant information is not quoted as to that being the only sentence he said it is a summery of the event leading to her death and imo the confession may have been more detailed. We are unsure what other information could have not been on it.

For now that’s all we’ve got, and I don’t believe a word of it, nor do I understand why anyone would.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I believe the arrest warrant information is not quoted as to that being the only sentence he said it is a summery of the event leading to her death and imo the confession may have been more detailed. We are unsure what other information could have not been on it.

This. That's exactly what I want to know.

Because they will interview you for hours to clarify information during your confession.

So was that just a basic summary statement by him or by them?

 

[MsBetsy]

Here ya' go:

Loveland infant's autopsy report released

In that case, the father of a dead infant was arrested in December 2017. The autopsy report wasn't ready until April 2018. But it was sealed and not released until after he pled guilty in June 2018:

"Though the infant's autopsy report has been sealed as part of the investigation and court proceedings, the Larimer County Coroner's Office confirmed Monday that the infant's name was Adrian Dominguez."
Loveland infant's autopsy report released

What special circumstance was given in that case that the legislature had no way of anticipating when they drafted the legislation regarding release of public records?

It appears that a major reason for continuing to seal an autopsy report is if the overall homicide/death investigation remains ongoing. Then it is determined to be in the public interest to keep such records sealed.

Although the defendant has been charged, the state has said the investigation in this case remains ongoing.

It seems logical to me that they would not want the autopsy report released in order not to sway public opinion. Especially if there were broken bones, or anything that discredits CW's story. Wouldn't it be hard to find jurers who are unbiased or have not already formed an opinion? Especially if there are incriminating comments like the one in the article? I understand some people don't follow the news, but wouldn't it decrease the amount of potential jurors significantly?

 

[pocketaccent]

This. That's exactly what I want to know.

Because they will interview you for hours to clarify information during your confession.

So was that just a basic summary statement by him or by them?

"........While in the bedroom, via baby monitor located on Shanann's night stand, he observed Bella "sprawled" out on her bed and blue and Shanann actively strangling Celeste. Chris said he went into a rage and ultimately strangled Shanann to death......"
https://www.courts.state.co.us/user...18CR2003/001/Warrantless Arrest Affidavit.pdf
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I think CW's actual confession has more details between first sentence and the second sentence in the quotation above. I'd imagine he would be smart enough to say he attended to the babies before killing Shanann. We have no idea what the detail is but we know he didn't call 911 or scream for help.

Anyway, that's how I read his lying confession described in the affidavit.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Oh, wow, than that is way too late, I would think. It can't be about the deadline for turning five. Anyway, the VI' s answer is rather mysterious... leaves it open to much speculation. But if she was turning five in December, that's a little early to start kindergarten. Maybe full time Pre- k? I think I read she had been going part time. It would seem to be a mystery. To bad we don't have more info. Just adding to say I don't know how to copy the post, but it was just posted above, a few messages ago.

I have I have been afk, and I don't understand how this relates to anything?

Why is this being discussed in relation to the murders?

 

[DexterMorgan]

"........While in the bedroom, via baby monitor located on Shanann's night stand, he observed Bella "sprawled" out on her bed and blue and Shanann actively strangling Celeste. Chris said he went into a rage and ultimately strangled Shanann to death......"
https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/19th_Judicial_District/caseofinterest/2018CR2003/001/Warrantless Arrest Affidavit.pdf
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I think CW's actual confession has more details between first sentence and the second sentence in the quotation above. I'd imagine he would be smart enough to say he attended to the babies before killing Shanann. We have no idea what the detail is but we know he didn't call 911 or scream for help.

Anyway, that's how I read his lying confession described in the affidavit.

Agree. If he admitted to lying about the affair then he probably told them who it was and for how long and everything else. So there's definitely more information that he gave them.

 

[Layla123]

This. That's exactly what I want to know.

Because they will interview you for hours to clarify information during your confession.

So was that just a basic summary statement by him or by them?

In order to believe there was more in CW’s confession that LE intentionally omitted in order to manipulate public opinion against him, while charging him with 3 counts of First Degree Murder, of which there is no evidence in CW’s confession, then you have to believe the Prosecution is corrupt.

 

[mickey2942]

There have been several reports that the home had Amazon "Alexa" dots, and devices. The speculation is that the device "recorded" the events in the home.

I am really wondering about this aspect. I haven't done any research, but if this is true, Amazon probably doesn't want this knowledge out, that everything in your home is free game for Amazon to hear.

 

[DexterMorgan]

In order to believe there was more in CW’s confession that LE intentionally omitted in order to manipulate public opinion against him, while charging him with 3 counts of First Degree Murder, of which there is no evidence in CW’s confession, then you have to believe the Prosecution is corrupt.

I didn't ponder it that way though. But on the First 48. Some people do give a basic non believeable self defense statement before immediately asking for a lawyer.

So I just wondered if he went into real details with them. That's all.

 

[PommyMommy]

Agree. If he admitted to lying about the affair then he probably told them who it was and for how long and everything else. So there's definitely more information that he gave them.

I don't think CW told them about the affair. I think LE told him they knew about it, that the co-worker was cooperating and CW had no choice but to admit it. I don't think he told the truth about anything (like where to find the bodies) until they presented him with undeniable facts.

From the affidavit:
"A two day investigation revealed Chris was actively involved in an affair with a co-worker which he denied in previous interviews"

MOO

 

[Backstroke10]

She might have died never knowing that the kids were dead, or about to die.

I hope she didn't know but at least they are all together now, while he rots in prison for the rest of his life.

 

[tmar]

I am wondering if CW will try to explain his actions, by stating after witnessing SW in the process of murdering her children, he went into a 'trance like state': he murdered SW, disposed of the bodies, gave interviews, still affected by this.
He was not himself.
With time, reflection, he cannot believe the above.
Now so upset in Prison!!!
Is he perhaps going to use, something similar to Mollie Tibbetts' accuser stating a 'black out'?
All above, my own thoughts, after a restless night, thinking about 'tank openings'.

 

[Thepoet]

I agree with you, I think he killed his entire family and that he planned it in advance.

The affidavit states when CW went upstairs to the master bedroom, and on the baby monitor he observed Bella sprawled out on her bed and blue and SW was actively strangling Celeste.

What's not clear is whether CW is saying he "viewed" SW actively strangling CeCe in Bella's bedroom or in CeCe's bedroom. In previous cases I've followed, there tends to be little snippets of truth thrown into the stories that are told because they either know or they fear LE will find evidence and they need to fit that evidence into their story. My thoughts are that SW was murdered in the bedroom he claimed he viewed SW actively strangling CeCe. JMO.

The affidavit also states "he went into a rage and ultimately strangled Shanann to death". To me, the "ultimately" word indicates something happened before he strangled SW to death. JMO.

I can't help but wonder if he may have been attempting to explain another injury or even other injuries that might be found on SW's body that were incurred before she was strangled to death. JMO, I didn't see signs of injury to CW when he gave his media interviews and I do believe SW would have put up a terrific fight had she been able to fight. JMO.

There's a lot of information we don't have, but based on what we already know, it's beyond horrific and I do think it's likely to get even worse as more information becomes available. IMO.

Excellent points. Thank you. I think our behavioral specialists here would confirm what you said about truth among the lies.

 

[MsBetsy]

I've read that. It has nothing to do with this case. Neither CPS nor LE is implicated in the homicides in question here.

I read that and interpreted it to be a matter of the govt not wanting to reveal incriminating evidence regarding govt workers and using the concept that it would not serve the public's interest in order to prevent that from happening. But not necessarily using it for the intended reason. I'm not sure I am interpreting that correctly but I am trying to understand. What are the usual circumstances in trying to protect the public interest when it involves possible problems that may occur in the trial? In other words, what is the usual reason for asking the report to be sealed for this reason?

 

[Layla123]

I didn't ponder it that way though. But on the First 48. Some people do give a basic non believeable self defense statement before immediately asking for a lawyer.

So I just wondered if he went into real details with them. That's all.

I’d certainly like to see the tape of the confession. I’m of a mind that C.W.’s goal was to put it out there that SW strangled the children. It was such a big fat lie, he probably didn’t want to provide too many details, then the focus switched to confessing what he’d done with their bodies.

 

[MsBetsy]

I believe the arrest warrant information is not quoted as to that being the only sentence he said it is a summery of the event leading to her death and imo the confession may have been more detailed. We are unsure what other information could have not been on it.

That's true but something as significant as him trying to save his children would certainly not be left out. It is a summary of the most important details of his description. If he had said he performed CPR, and checked her pulse or gave her rescue breaths before he became enraged and strangled his wife, it would be included in the affidavit. Imo