08-21-2018, 08:29 PM
Christopher Watts, wearing an orange jail suit and cuffed at the wrists and ankle, stoically answered, “Yes sir,” as District Judge Marcelo Kopcow formally advised him of the murder charges and that he could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of killing his wife, Shanann, 34, and their daughters Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4.
![[Image: frank-rzucek-the-father-of-shanann-watts...HVCh0fWtk=]](https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/frank-rzucek-the-father-of-shanann-watts-left-and-her-brother-frankie-picture-id1020801174?k=6&m=1020801174&s=612x612&w=0&h=FU-bPeJREfeSOEq7rctoVoTjG1FyNwW8NrHVCh0fWtk=)
^ Shanann’s father, Frank Rzucek Sr., wept with his face in his hands. Shanann’s brother, Frank Rzucek Jr., rubbed his father’s shoulders and glared unflinchingly at Watts. A bailiff stood between them. :(
Watts didn’t enter a plea to three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.
Watts also waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days of arraignment, but he still maintains the right to have one.
The district attorney's office could seek the death penalty, but Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said in a news conference Monday that it's "way too early to have that conversation," as his office has 63 days after arraignment to make that decision.
The criminal complaint says Shanann Watts "died as a result of the unlawful termination of the pregnancy." That's weird. I'm interested in finding out more about the official causes of death.
Fortunately, Judge Marcelo Kopcow denied bail for Watts.
Ref:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...052276002/
^ Shanann’s father, Frank Rzucek Sr., wept with his face in his hands. Shanann’s brother, Frank Rzucek Jr., rubbed his father’s shoulders and glared unflinchingly at Watts. A bailiff stood between them. :(
Watts didn’t enter a plea to three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.
Watts also waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days of arraignment, but he still maintains the right to have one.
The district attorney's office could seek the death penalty, but Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said in a news conference Monday that it's "way too early to have that conversation," as his office has 63 days after arraignment to make that decision.
The criminal complaint says Shanann Watts "died as a result of the unlawful termination of the pregnancy." That's weird. I'm interested in finding out more about the official causes of death.
Fortunately, Judge Marcelo Kopcow denied bail for Watts.
Ref:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...052276002/