TN - DOC Administrator Debra Johnson murdered by inmate Curtis Ray Watson, 44, Henning, 7 Aug 2019

[Handsome Sailor]

the prison complex is very isolated. about 20 miles out from the highway through farm fields. there is a state park at the end of the road. I've camped there. I recall thinking, the campers would be vulnerable if there were a breakout.

 

[Bobbywoo]

Cause of death for Debra Johnson revealed as the manhunt for Curtis Watson continues

 

[GordianKnot]

Copy of the actual arrest affidavit:

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com...cbb2cf43/8-9-19-curtis-r-watson-affidavit.pdf

 

[GordianKnot]

Tennessee Inmate Killed Prison Official, Then Fled on Tractor, Authorities Say

SABBM:
Mr. Watson, who turned 44 on the day of his escape, had been a trusty and was released from the prison for his work assignment mowing lawns, according to officials and court records. As a trusty, he had access to prison equipment, including a golf cart and a tractor.

Tony C. Parker, the commissioner of the State Department of Correction, said at a news conference on Thursday that Mr. Watson was qualified to be a prison trusty but declined to discuss it further, saying the policy would be reviewed.
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YA' THINK ???

 

[PastTense]

I think sacrifices will be made--that the head of the prison might lose his position. The governor might even decide to dump Tony Parker, the commissioner of the State Department of Correction you are quoting.

 

[GordianKnot]

Curtis Ray Watson still believed to be in the area, TBI updates

SABBM:

On day four of the search for Curtis Ray Watson, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported they believed he's still in the surrounding area.

Saturday, the agency said despite receiving 369 tips there have been no credible sightings.

The TBI has not released information about his probably <sic> means of travel, but encourage residents in the immediate area to remain alert, check their property and check on their neighbors.
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My concern at this point is that he's a violent, desperate man with nothing to lose.

I think there's a high probability that he's going to break into a home to steal supplies and/or steal a vehicle.

It makes no sense to me that the TBI won't release information re: his probable means of travel.

Also, they haven't shared what evidence leads them to believe he's still in the area, especially given the fact that they've had a grand total of 0 credible sightings and the TBI has been previously quoted as saying that he "could be anywhere."

Keeping the public in the dark here will not in any way help to keep them safe.

JMO.

 

[MsFacetious]

Do we have a list of his convictions?
Not his charges, but the convictions that actually were on his record.

Those would be what would have directly impacted his security level while incarcerated. So if he was charged with rape but then that was dropped in a plea deal it wouldn't be a conviction and so it wouldn't factor in. That's what it sounds like to me.

 

[Handsome Sailor]

what was the prison official doing at home midmorning on a weekday?
seems like Watson had way too much discretion in his workplace for being a convicted violent offender
was his motive to escape or to commit rape/murder?
was this a crime of opportunity?

 

[Isabelle98]

Im all for prison reform, Prisoners doing their time and getting out back into the world after our help with reform. However-- Sexual predators in my opinion can not be reformed! If this dog was executed like he should have been, in my opinion, this would not be an issue. This is a disgrace to the justice system, and a beautiful, hard working woman is dead now, and this crepe is running loose. Unbelievable!

I agree. Sexual predators as well serial killers and mass murderers can't be reformed...there's nothing to do with them. They're just "natural born criminals" without hope...

 

[GordianKnot]

Do we have a list of his convictions?
Not his charges, but the convictions that actually were on his record.

Those would be what would have directly impacted his security level while incarcerated. So if he was charged with rape but then that was dropped in a plea deal it wouldn't be a conviction and so it wouldn't factor in. That's what
it sounds like to me.

Curtis Ray Watson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

SABBM:

Watson was in prison since 2013 and was not due for release until May 2025. He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping. A woman reported in July 2012 that he had hit her over the head and raped her twice, Covington Leader reported. According to WMC5, he also had previous convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated rape, and aggravated child abuse. His record also included tampering with government records and a violation of protection order, News Channel 5 reported.

 

[Isabelle98]

Curtis Ray Watson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

SABBM:

Watson was in prison since 2013 and was not due for release until May 2025. He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping. A woman reported in July 2012 that he had hit her over the head and raped her twice, Covington Leader reported. According to WMC5, he also had previous convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated rape, and aggravated child abuse. His record also included tampering with government records and a violation of protection order, News Channel 5 reported.

In other words this man is a psycho...
I hope the police will find him as soon as possible. This criminal could kidnap, rape or even kill without thinking twice...

 

[Bobbywoo]

Not sure that extra $5,000 will make a difference if no one was talking at $52,000. That's if someone knows something of course. Fingers crossed though.
Reward upped to $57,000 for escaped inmate Curtis Watson

 

[MsFacetious]

Curtis Ray Watson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

SABBM:

Watson was in prison since 2013 and was not due for release until May 2025. He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping. A woman reported in July 2012 that he had hit her over the head and raped her twice, Covington Leader reported. According to WMC5, he also had previous convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated rape, and aggravated child abuse. His record also included tampering with government records and a violation of protection order, News Channel 5 reported.

Yep heads are gonna roll and people are going to get fired and sued. I thought maybe the rape wasn't a conviction. Wow.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Wow, I sure hope so. Authorities: Escaped inmate may be cornered, capture imminent

 

[PastTense]

"Curtis Ray Watson, who escaped from West Tennessee State Penitentiary and is accused of killing Debra Johnson at her home on prison grounds on Wednesday, Aug. 7, has been captured, according to law enforcement officials."
Prison escapee wanted for murder captured

Great News!

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Report also stated that Watson is believed to have gone into a residence and taken food and bottles of water all while the residents were sleeping. Reporter says that Cherry residents have reported this.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

I'm confused.

Peter Fleischer ✔ @Peter_Fleischer


UPDATE: A large part of law enforcement has packed up from their location on Hwy 371, but the road remains closed to the public.

We’re told law enforcement is optimistic about using thermal tracking to find Watson at night, but as of now: “He’s not in custody yet.”



1 10:34 PM - Aug 10, 2019
Authorities: Escaped inmate may be cornered, capture imminent

 

[GordianKnot]

`

"Curtis Ray Watson, who escaped from West Tennessee State Penitentiary and is accused of killing Debra Johnson at her home on prison grounds on Wednesday, Aug. 7, has been captured, according to law enforcement officials."
Prison escapee wanted for murder captured

Great News!

When I click on the link now, it says, "Page Not Found."

I'm wondering if that report was accurate or if the station might have misreported the info???

 

[GordianKnot]

I'm confused.

Peter Fleischer ✔ @Peter_Fleischer


UPDATE: A large part of law enforcement has packed up from their location on Hwy 371, but the road remains closed to the public.

We’re told law enforcement is optimistic about using thermal tracking to find Watson at night, but as of now: “He’s not in custody yet.”



1 10:34 PM - Aug 10, 2019
Authorities: Escaped inmate may be cornered, capture imminent

I don't think he's been captured.

The link to an article with that headline is now broken.

I think one of the news outlets got their facts wrong.

JMO.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

I don't think he's been captured.

The link to an article with that headline is now broken.

I think one of the news outlets got their facts wrong.

JMO.

Yes, and Peter Fleischer from WREG has reported that a helicopter is in the air as of 10 minutes ago. I think that the other report was very optimistic or they were getting ready and it was accidentally released because they had a section that said "Add Details Here" under the quoted paragraph. They sound pretty confident that they're closing in. And I believe a blanket and empty water bottle was found in the area earlier today. Fingers crossed.