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

[PastTense]

Now they must lock him up forever...

I doubt that--Tennessee is an active death penalty state.
Capital punishment in Tennessee - Wikipedia

 

[mrz]

I doubt that--Tennessee is an active death penalty state.

Thats good! MOO

 

[mrz]

Wanted Tennessee inmate was caught after being spotted rifling through strangers' refrigerator

 

[Isabelle98]

I doubt that--Tennessee is an active death penalty state.
Capital punishment in Tennessee - Wikipedia

To me this is not a bad news
Anyways I doubt Tennessee is an active death penalty state. Executions are rare.
Since 1976 only 10 inmates have been executed in Tennessee

List of people executed in Tennessee - Wikipedia

 

[YESorNO]

Accused killer Curtis Ray Watson moved to maximum security prison in Nashville

 

[YESorNO]

Curtis Ray Watson: Convict accused of TDOT employee's murder to undergo mental evaluation

Sept. 25, 2019

"RIPLEY — A mental evaluation by video conference will help determine whether a convict accused of killing a Tennessee corrections administrator before escaping prison is competent to stand trial, lawyers said Wednesday.

Attorneys for Curtis Ray Watson said during a hearing that a forensic evaluation could take place in October for the two-time felon....

Lawyers say the evaluation will likely be done by video because Watson is behind bars at a maximum-security prison in Nashville, about 170 miles east of Ripley, where court proceedings are taking place....

The evaluation will determine whether Watson was sane when he engineered his escape and whether he is competent to face court proceedings on charges of first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated sexual assault and escape.

Watson has not entered a plea in the case. Prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty if Watson is convicted of the first-degree murder, Lauderdale County district attorney Mark Davidson said....

A hearing on the status of the mental evaluation is set for Nov. 21 in Ripley."

Curtis Ray Watson: Convict accused of TDOT employee's murder to undergo mental evaluation

(A sign picturing Debra K. Johnson, an administrator at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary Center is displayed at a press conference on Sunday, August 11, 2019, following the capture of Curtis Ray Watson. [Photo: Henry Taylor / USA Today Network - Tennessee])
---------------------------

Attorneys await results of mental evaluation of prison escapee Curtis Ray Watson, charged in TDOC administrator’s murder (with clip)

September 25, 2019

Attorneys await results of mental evaluation of prison escapee Curtis Ray Watson, charged in TDOC administrator’s murder

 

[JerseyGirl]

The trial of a Tennessee convict charged with killing a corrections official before escaping prison on a tractor has been delayed until next year.

Curtis Watson had been scheduled to face trial Oct. 26 in the killing of Tennessee Department of Correction administrator Debra Johnson. Her body was found in her home on the grounds of a state prison in Henning in August 2019.

Trial for inmate accused of murdering TDOC employee delayed until 2021

 

[summerthyme]

Hearing set on plea deal in Tennessee prison administrator's killing Lauderdale County District Attorney Mark Davidson told The Associated Press that a hearing has been scheduled for Monday in the case of Curtis Ray Watson.

Hearing set on plea deal in Curtis Watson case | localmemphis.com

 

[summerthyme]

The hearing is today at 2pm.

Tennessee convict charged in 2019 murder, rape of TDOC administrator expected to plead guilty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Curtis Watson, the man charged with killing Tennessee Department of Correction Administrator Debra Johnson before escaping prison on a tractor in August 2019, plans to plead guilty in court next week to the murder.

Johnson’s son told News 2 the district attorney notified the family on Tuesday about the plea deal.

 

[summerthyme]

Curtis Watson, an inmate at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, waved his right to a jury trial Monday and pleaded guilty to murdering the prison administrator during his 2019 escape.

Watson pleaded guilty Monday to nine counts, including felony murder in perpetration of rape. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Entire story here:
Tennessee inmate pleads guilty to raping, murdering prison administrator during 2019 escape

 

[summerthyme]

The hearing is today at 2pm.

Tennessee convict charged in 2019 murder, rape of TDOC administrator expected to plead guilty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Curtis Watson, the man charged with killing Tennessee Department of Correction Administrator Debra Johnson before escaping prison on a tractor in August 2019, plans to plead guilty in court next week to the murder.

Johnson’s son told News 2 the district attorney notified the family on Tuesday about the plea deal.

Well, just noticed this at the bottom of the article:
"A Tennessee inmate accused of murdering a prison administrator will go before a judge Monday for a possible plea deal."

I am refreshing several places constantly. The hearing was scheduled for 2pm Central time.

 

[summerthyme]

Watson accepts plea deal, to serve life in prison without parole
Curtis Watson, accused of killing a prison administrator after escaping from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, accepted a plea deal on Monday that will require him to serve life in prison without parole.

The plea deal, reached in agreement with prosecutors and Debra Johnson's family, was announced during a plea hearing on Monday afternoon.
Watson accepts plea deal, to serve life in prison without parole

 

[summerthyme]

Watson apologized to the victim’s family and prison workers after the sentencing.

“My apologies. Please forgive me for everything I’ve ever done,” he said.

Johnson’s daughter said she was pleased with outcome and the family hoped to move on and heal.

Johnson worked for the state for 38 years and was in charge of overseeing wardens at several prisons. Many remember her positive influence, and touching the lives of prisoners.

Curtis Watson sentenced in 2019 murder, rape of Tennessee prison official during escape | WATE 6 On Your Side

 

[summerthyme]

Video of inmate apologizing to family and asking for forgiveness:

Prison inmate enters plea deal in brutal murder of Tennessee prison administrator