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])
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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