Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #42

[liltexans]

I’m not sure if advising clients not to go to trial is a normal practice. I don’t think it is. Maybe @Amandaaa or one of the other attorneys can chime in.

I think it’s likely he’ll spend life in prison for killing his pregnant wife.
jmo

Trials are really expensive and very time consuming, but it will probably depend on the attorneys, the evidence, and ultimately Chris' wishes. His attorneys can advise him until the cows come home about taking a plea or not taking a plea, but it is his decision whether he goes to trial or not. He can also choose a bench trial in front of a judge instead of a jury trial.

If the death penalty is on the table, the trial will be even more expensive and take even longer. I think most attorneys would advise taking a plea in that case because first and foremost they are trying to save their client's life, as they should, since it's their job. But again, if the defense is confident that the state cannot prove its case, I think this will go to trial.

 

[Yvettea]

When you think of what happened because CW had access to the home, it sickens you. If SW had known of the affair (soon enough) she could have filed for divorce and have gotten a protective order against CW and kept him away from the home when she was there.

 

[mtnlites]

Respectfully and IMOO, I disagree because if you're looking for a motive and considering his story could be true then you are trying to find an excuse somehow to blame the victim. Again, MOO

I agree. I guess I have trouble with the idea of considering his story for a few reasons. One is that we only have his word to go on. There is literally nothing else at this point that backs up his story. There are many things that point to his story NOT being true, though. Two, the only way his story COULD be true is to believe something bad about the victim. In this case, we would have to believe that SW was capable of killing her children and, so far, the only "proof" we have isn't proof at all. (Those FB videos are subjective.) On the other hand, we KNOW that CW is capable of killing because he admitted that he killed her. `

 

[human]

What is the point of the DP? It costs a ton of money because it will be appealed.

I hope he pleas and puts an end to this.

I woild like an in depth book written about him, however.

 

[liltexans]

What is the point of the DP? It costs a ton of money because it will be appealed.

I hope he pleas and puts an end to this.

I woild like an in depth book written about him, however.

In CO, I don't know that there is any point to the death penalty. I believe their last execution was in 1976. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But, technically, they do have the death penalty available. It will come down to the DA and Shan'ann's family's wishes, I think, whether or not to make this a death penalty case.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Respectfully and IMOO, I disagree because if you're looking for a motive and considering his story could be true then you are trying to find an excuse somehow to blame the victim. Again, MOO

I disagree.

 

[MassGuy]

What is the point of the DP? It costs a ton of money because it will be appealed.

I hope he pleas and puts an end to this.

I woild like an in depth book written about him, however.

Personal opinions aside, the death penalty can serve as leverage in forcing a defendant to cop a plea.

I too hope for one here.

 

[MassGuy]

In CO, I don't know that there is any point to the death penalty. I believe their last execution was in 1976. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But, technically, they do have the death penalty available. It will come down to the DA and Shan'ann's family's wishes, I think, whether or not to make this a death penalty case.

1997 was the last one. They just don’t use it there. I too don’t understand the point of having it, if you don’t utilize it.

 

[liltexans]

Okay, I was off by a couple of decades on the year. CO last executed someone in 1997. But that's still over 20 years ago. They are considered a "de facto" non-capital punishment state.

Colorado Capital Punishment Laws - FindLaw

 

[human]

I no longer think she may have done it because I think he is a psychopath just like the other FA.

People who are looking at it from other eyes are not looking for an excuse. They are examining possiblities.

 

[Gardener1850]

When you think of what happened because CW had access to the home, it sickens you. If SW had known of the affair (soon enough) she could have filed for divorce and have gotten a protective order against CW and kept him away from the home when she was there.

Wouldn't there have to be some prior documented violence on the part of CW for SW to get a protective order? As far as we know there was nothing in their past that would have been a red flag to her that he might kill them all. No previous domestic calls, no threats. Although I hope if he ever made threats to her in private that she somehow recorded it, I'm afraid this will end up being just like all the other family annihilator cases where there was no warning.

 

[ZsaZsa]

I know, you almost can’t help but love them because they, like all children, are precious and innocent.

Specially Celeste, who bounces like Tigger,off the walls, all the time. You never see her without that huge grin.

 

[Yvettea]

Wouldn't there have to be some prior documented violence on the part of CW for SW to get a protective order? As far as we know there was nothing in their past that would have been a red flag to her that he might kill them all. No previous domestic calls, no threats. Although I hope if he ever made threats to her in private that she somehow recorded it, I'm afraid this will end up being just like all the other family annihilator cases where there was no warning.

That could be if there’s no documented violence. An affair is not looked upon kindly in divorce cases I’m familiar with especially if there are dependent children in the home.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Wouldn't there have to be some prior documented violence on the part of CW for SW to get a protective order? As far as we know there was nothing in their past that would have been a red flag to her that he might kill them all. No previous domestic calls, no threats. Although I hope if he ever made threats to her in private that she somehow recorded it, I'm afraid this will end up being just like all the other family annihilator cases where there was no warning.

IMO protective orders are just a piece of paper in the eyes of an abuser. They usually don’t do anything to actually protect a victim or potential victim.

 

[MCDRAW]

Obviously CW is evil and sick. I find it hard to believe that anyone buys his cruel, perverted accusation that his murder victim also murdered the children she so clearly adored. (No, CW, that was ALL YOU!!) I think so many of us are offended because he has murdered her physically and now psychologically and it is shocking that anyone can believe his lies after his public demeanor displaying ZERO GRIEF ("I like those shirts" or whatever nonsense, disgusting). But then I just read that Neil Entwistle's parents still believe his similar disgusting accusation that his wife killed her beloved child then committed suicide! The power of denial is really something. He is so clearly guilty and thankfully, convicted. I feel confident CW will be convicted on all counts, and also pretty sure he will STILL have his believers, sadly.

No one wants to believe that their child is a killer. JMO

 

[ZsaZsa]

The prosecutor in this case should push for jurors to take a field trip to the burial site, IMO. Have them look at the massive, ugly, frightful looking tanks for themselves.

Post mortem photos of the effects of soaking in crude oil for 4 days at their father's hands should make an impact.

 

[ZsaZsa]

What is the point of the DP? It costs a ton of money because it will be appealed.

I hope he pleas and puts an end to this.

I woild like an in depth book written about him, however.

Let the punishment fit the crime.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

That could be if there’s no documented violence. An affair is not looked upon kindly in divorce cases I’m familiar with especially if there are dependent children in the home.

Maybe it depends on the judge or maybe things have changed. The judge in my divorce (18 years ago - 2 kids ages 2 and 6) said he didn’t care how many affairs or girlfriends my husband had.

 

[Loveallmyhorsesdogsandcats]

Respectfully and IMOO, I disagree because if you're looking for a motive and considering his story could be true then you are trying to find an excuse somehow to blame the victim. Again, MOO

I accept the possibility that his story is true but I have not seen anything that leads me to believe it is a strong possibility. The main reason for that is the short window for the events to have occurred as he described and him immediately going into self preservation mode, plus there are a few holes in his story as told in the warrantless arrest affidavit.

 

[MassGuy]

IMO protective orders are just a piece of paper in the eyes of an abuser. They usually don’t do anything to actually protect a victim or potential victim.

It’s situational in terms of effectiveness. In some cases they work, and in some they can actually make the victim less safe.

It’s not a blanket solution.