Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *CW GUILTY* #46

[tmar]

BBM. His story was never going to work. He made it up on the spot when confronted with overwhelming evidence in the interrogation room. Thus the evidence was never going to support it.

LE had video evidence of SW entering the house at 1.48am, and no evidence of her ever leaving.

He was cooked from the start. All praise to NUA who prevented him from setting the scene of whatever he was planning to try and get away with these despicable crimes. She was key to justice for these victims.

It will be wonderful seeing NUA being interviewed.
Hope she informs us, of conversations she may have had with SW, about CW.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

The affidavit would have told us had he initially confessed to killing them all, and then recanted.

I think there was miscommunication in the beginning, coupled with the knowledge that regardless of his story, he absolutely killed them all.

You're probably right but what if CW confessed without an attorney present? Would it be included in the affidavit? It's not important but another one of those pieces of the puzzle we've all been trying desperately to put together!

 

[MassGuy]

You're probably right but what if CW confessed without an attorney present? Would it be included in the affidavit? It's not important but another one of those pieces of the puzzle we've all been trying desperately to put together!

There’s no requirement that an attorney be present for a confession. The fact that he even partially confessed, tells me that there was no attorney in that room.

It appears he didn’t request one initially.

 

[Amandaaa]

I'm betting that there was a leak that a plea was forthcoming but his side couldn't reveal the details. Those privy to such info would likely be those who were wedded to the belief that Shanann was a terrible person who likely killed her kids. Thus, the assumption that it would be a partial exoneration.

Where were people saying there would be a “partial exoneration”?

 

[SweetPeas56]

Watts, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder after deliberation and two counts of first-degree murder of a victim under the age of 12 in a position of trust for in the deaths of his wife Shanann and two daughters Celeste and Bella in August, according to a news release from the Weld County District Attorney's Office.

Watts also pleaded guilty to unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.

The news release stated the plea deal was made with the agreement of the victims' family. In exchange for pleading guilty to all nine charges, prosecutors have agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Christopher Watts pleads guilty to murder of wife and daughters

Nothing can undo the damage CW did, but knowing that, I am so glad to see that he is going down in the records as guilty guilty guilty, including the pregnancy termination charge for little Nico. I have some satisfaction from that, and for the fact that now the families don't have to go through a trial.

I'm way behind because I have only been able to pop in every so often today due to work. I apologize if I get anything wrong....

If I am reading correctly, not only is he pleading guilty to murder after deliberation, he is pleading to all 9 counts against him. This makes me think that, although his defense team went the distance, LE had strong evidence that they didn't think they could conquer. I think CW didn't want his dirty secrets coming out in court, but I don't see the defense team rolling over if that was the only fear about trial. Conversely, I could see the prosecution standing firm on all 9 counts if they knew they had the stronger position.

After the sentencing, and the case is officially closed, will info be released? Can part of the plea be a requirement to seal certain information? Does the DA have authority to do that? Or would it be a battle like the autopsies?

I'm still curious about several other things because my mind doesn't let things go. But I'm happy her family doesn't have to endure a trial. I'm glad he's going to prison. And I hope the Shanann bashing all over the internet will die out now. She, her babies, and her family don't deserve it.

 

[pocketaccent]

I can't wait to find out when, how, and why he did it. I want to learn every detail of this crime. Hopefully after his sentencing, many interviews will be done by various insiders of this case.

(Personally had a really busy day. Can't wait to catch up after dinner with family)

 

[MassGuy]

Where were people saying there would be a “partial exoneration”?

The implication was that some charges may be dropped, which would in turn indicate that there was evidence that he was telling the truth.

 

[tmar]

Yes. I just got off the phone with her. But not for her, today wouldn't have happened. At least not for a long, long time. And she still doesn't think she did anything other than be a good friend.

You, and all those that know NUA are blessed.
We all need such a wonderful person in our lives.
I am sure later, NUA will remember all the wonderful times she experienced with SW, to try and block this ugliness from her mind.
When I want to stop my mind from 'thinking about the bad around me', I have my little sayings, and little Angels talking in my ear.
This drowns ugly thoughts.
Hope NUA, with Professional Help, will have ways, to 'overcome this tragedy'.
Having you, Colorado as her friend is just wonderful.

 

[riolove77]

I do. Because that slimeball tried to pin it all on Shanann, who clearly loved not only her girls and her unborn son, but CW's sorry behind.

I want to see the autopsy reports, the interview transcripts, read every detail of the court proceedings and deals. Full disclosure. Every single solitary thing that has been kept behind closed doors in case of a trial, every damning piece of evidence, every single text, every affair and lie, every single bit of premeditation they found.

Every bit of shielding and protecting right down to this "status conference" on election day with zero photos or videos allowed while he stood in front of his own family for once and had to admit what he did.

And I want him to have to make a detailed statement of guilt at sentencing. An allocution, is that what it's called?

I want him to have to stand there in front of the entire world, the media, his family, her family, every single doubter and have it live streamed to the world while he admits his guilt and states exactly what he did to each member of his trusting family so that there is absolutely zero doubt before this fades away that he is a liar, a cheater, a coward, and a murderer.

AMEN

 

[PrimeSuspect]

OMG, CW supporters still at it in comments. What a world we live in!

 

[Nessa131]

This is one part if the story I’d like to better understand. What CW and dad said to each other and who came up with what. Grr.

Since it was done at the police station- cw and his dad’s convo will be videoed correct? Will they be able to release that? I dont know what kind of rights cw would have now that he plead guilty i would think none and every thing could be public record

 

[Tigerlily75]

Where were people saying there would be a “partial exoneration”?

Found Deceased - CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #44

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Yes. I just got off the phone with her. But not for her, today wouldn't have happened. At least not for a long, long time. And she still doesn't think she did anything other than be a good friend.

This.made.me.cry...

From the beginning, I have shaken my head at this whole situation and how she had such a wonderful wonderful friend to be there to be a witness and was the best friend anybody could ever have.

Her friend asked her to be there for her, and she was!

If not for her, this would have been such a different outcome. I would imagine this is so emotionally overcoming for her, but her part was so key and the heavens look down on her and I hope she knows it.

 

[gitana1]

Such a busy night so apologies if this has been asked but maybe @gitana1 can give me a quick answer..... since CW has pleaded guilty to the charges, will the previous court documents, etc that were sealed due to concern how they may impact a jury, now be unsealed and made available to the public? Or is it once they are sealed they stay sealed? TIA.

The autopsy report will be unsealed. The motion might not be.

 

[Nessa131]

Yes. All were premeditated. He’s a murderer through and through.

Murderer and truly evil monster. How you could premeditate the murder of anyone- but your own flesh and blood children!?!?!? I am awaiting all the info that is to come after sentencing to try and wrap my head around what his motive was etc.

 

[Amandaaa]

The implication was that some charges may be dropped, which would in turn indicate that there was evidence that he was telling the truth.

In case you are referring to my post (not at all sure if you are...)

I was asked earlier today what I thought the plea would be - I said I had no idea - but solely due to the fact that it was happening so early in the process, I would assume it would be for less than the full list of charges. It was a total guess, based only on the timing, that some of the “duplicate” charges (secondary counts for the girls) or the disposal charges may be dropped.

Not an exoneration of any type, or an implication that SW had anything to do with it. Just a guess . But dropping the DP for LWOP works too...

 

[gitana1]

Yes, his confession in open court would have helped even up the deal he and his attorney struck with the prosecutors and the Court.
I remember a case here in NC where a second trial was awarded by the Court of Appeals -- A man had been convicted of 1st-Murder of his wife. The defense, prosecutors, and the Court agreed to bump his sentence down to 2nd-murder. The judge had the defendant accept the plea deal in open court and he asked the def. to admit he was guilty of the crime. The convicted killer kind of took a step backward and asked his attorney if he had to admit his guilt, and his atty told him that he did. So he admitted to killing his wife. Now it was on the record. That was a wonderful thing, and it helped her family deal with it a bit better, I think. It also made many of us here on WS feel better about the deal he had just been given.

Allocution in open court on CW's part would have been very sweet indeed.

It's still on the record. I'm sorry - I meant not video recorded!!! It was taken down by a court reporter!!!

 

[gitana1]

Your question "what right do they [the Watts family] have to dictate conditions"? is completely valid. They don't. But I can live with anything that increased the likelihood CW would plead guilty. I imagine some family members may have discouraged him if it meant they might be seen on camera in a negative light. I was disappointed but I'll get over it.

Yes. You're 100% right. If this was a condition, fine. SW's family and friends like you are spared more trauma and that's worth more than money can buy.

 

[Golden Girl]

The autopsy reports came back about three weeks ago, and they reveal more than we know . . . DA Rourke said the plea negotiations began about three weeks ago. Now it makes sense to me why the defense attorneys said they didn’t care whether the reports were sealed or not. They knew they didn’t have a case and started working on a plea. I was thinking that a plea might be submitted at the Status Hearing.

It provides some relief to all of us who knew she could not have possibly hurt her beloved girls.

Hoping it helps the healing process for everyone, especially Shanann’s family.

 

[Nessa131]

Such a busy night so apologies if this has been asked but maybe @gitana1 can give me a quick answer..... since CW has pleaded guilty to the charges, will the previous court documents, etc that were sealed due to concern how they may impact a jury, now be unsealed and made available to the public? Or is it once they are sealed they stay sealed? TIA.

I am also wondering about the possible hippa document they had- wasnt that supposed to be addressed today? Will we ever know what it was?

 

[gitana1]

Where were people saying there would be a “partial exoneration”?

Not those exact words. But I think the assumption was clear to most of us.