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Jesse Watkins’ Victim Alive, Counsel Says

Crime | Wed, 02/27/2008 - 10:10 am | Updated 3 years 48 weeks ago | Read 3913 | Commented 12 | Emailed 8
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By Susan Avedissian

COURT HOUSE — How do you subpoena a dead man?

Christopher Robertson, defense counsel for Jesse Watkins — accused of first-degree murder in the disappearance of Craig White 18 years ago — is attempting to do just that.

Robertson told the Herald he believes White, who at the time of his disappearance was 18 years old, is actually alive, and Robertson plans to subpoena him to appear in the courtroom for the upcoming murder trial of his client.

A trial date might be set as soon as April, for later this year.

Watkins is charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of White on Feb. 23, 1990. White was reportedly last seen with Watkins and never seen from again, according to prosecutors. His body has never been found.

Meanwhile, Robertson said, he is actively searching for White.

“We’re still looking for him,” he said outside the courtroom Feb. 20, and again on Feb. 22, almost 18 years to the day White disappeared.

Robertson said there were motions with the court and police reports in which there were two individuals and more who had seen White after the date he was accused of having disappeared.

White had good reason to disappear on his own, according to Robertson. He was facing criminal charges that Robertson said if convicted of would have put him in jail for a long time.

“He’d probably still be in jail today if he hadn’t disappeared that day,” Robertson said.

Kay White, Craig’s aunt, told the Herald all those years ago when her nephew disappeared that she believes Craig never would have left his son behind willingly.

She testified along with eight other witnesses on behalf of the state at the hearing Feb. 20. Judge Raymond Batten heard testimony from nine witnesses about their knowledge of a young woman with whom both Watkins and White, both of Whitesboro, had a romantic relationship over 18 years ago, along with evidence of Watkins’ temperament, and now Judge Batten will decide whether evidence of jealousy and prior wrongdoing by Watkins is relevant to the state’s case and not so prejudicial to be admitted at his upcoming murder trial here.

Watkins and White were cousins, and good friends, according to witness’ testimony, but things between the two turned sour in late 1989, when Watkins reportedly learned of White’s summer affair with Watkins’ long-time girlfriend at the time, Dawn Garrison, now Dawn Perdomo.

Relatives of both Watkins and White, along with police witnesses and others who knew the two, took turns Feb. 20 answering Assistant Prosecutor Rob Johnson’s questions and being cross-examined based mostly on their statements given to investigators more than a decade and a half ago. The subjects revolved around whether either Watkins or White or both had a violent temper, whether and when Watkins learned of White’s affair with Garrison, and an incident in 1985 in which the prosecutor said Watkins pointed a gun at Harold "Jaybird" Watkins in an argument on a recreation field.

Two of the witnesses, George W. Davis, III and Harold “Jaybird” Watkins, are in custody. Each is serving prison time on drug charges; Davis is serving eight years and Watkins 20 years on a conviction as a drug “kingpin.”

The defendant Jesse Watkins refused to be present in the courtroom during the proceedings, despite a number of attempts to convince him otherwise by his counsel and Judge Batten. He did enter the courtroom early on to address Judge Batten directly, saying the court and prosecutors, and “Cape May County,” were prejudiced against him.

Judge Batten denied Watkins’ 11th hour request to recuse himself, the prosecutor and for a change of venue, saying Watkins had had since November to request his attorney file motions to that effect, and that he would have opportunity to do so after the hearing.

Robertson argued that without Watkins in the courtroom, his client would be prejudiced as he would be at a disadvantage without his assistance at the defense table, but Robertson’s request for a continuance to give him time to file the motions his client had just requested was denied.

A decision is set for this week when Judge Batten will decide what evidence prosecutors may admit.

Contact Avedissian at (609) 886-8600 Ext 27 or at: savedissian@cmcherald.com.

Print | Email Updated 3 years 48 weeks ago

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Tue, 09/09/2008 - 6:49am - Posted by: Anonymous

free jesse watkins he's innocent. nobody no conclusive evidence waste of taxpayers money.

Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:50am - Posted by: Anonymous

i for one know jesse watkins is innocent. he is not the type of man to kill his own fleshing blood over a woman. i mean he is good looking man kind and believes the value of family. i really don't think anyone should be charged for murder with out a shredd of evidence .all the prosecution has the word of people that we don't know if they have issuses with mr watkins. he's being incarcerated with very little evidence.

Thu, 08/21/2008 - 6:25pm - Posted by: Anonymous

i'm not even gonna sit here and type anything to ignorant responses regarding craig being part of the mob EVERYONE makes mistakes and yes craig was in trouble which is not a reason to run for almost 19 yrs there is statue of limitations on EVERYTHING but MURDER now i'am a member of jesse's family and as with everyone there is always two different sides to a family and i can say this about my side of that family and that is that THERE IS VERY FEW if any that DONT know that jesse DID in fact kill craig and has made it perfectly clear that they wouldnt find his body but guess what is done in the DARK comes out in the light and i guess jesse's cousin jaybird was lying when he said that jesse was up at the rec shooting at him over that piece of trash he supposely wanted to marry and just as you are taking offense to craig being painted as angel DONT paint jesse was one because that he is NOT as his family on one side is WELL aware of

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 10:51am - Posted by: Anonymous

Craig was about to go to jail for drugs. It was his third strike. So much for a loving father and he cared so much for his son. Why are they over looking Craig's history. Also if this was done out of jealousy then some of his other relatives should be looked at also since she was messing around with a few other family members before her and Jesse. Cape May County is very raceist and I feel that Jesse is being charged unfairly. Just because he was last seen with Jesse by them does not mean he murdered him. I do not believe that Jesse could do that . They also have records that Jesse was in Phildaelphia at the time having surgery. And Jesse was never running they always knew where to find hime if they wanted him. Both the mother and the Aunt knew Craig was involved in drugs. Where they trying to tell Craig that since he did have a son that he should not be doing this. What are his family members telling his son oh your dad was good person selling drugs and destroying other people's families.

Wed, 07/02/2008 - 11:59pm - Posted by: Anonymous

The answer to the question COURT HOUSE -"How do you subpoena a dead man?" You present a DEAD BODY, WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 07/02/2008 - 11:46pm - Posted by: Anonymous

I'm a family member of jesse watkins and I believe without a doubt that jessie is innocent being trialed unfairly and railroad by Cape May Judical system priimarly Judge Batten. When did the courts start letting hear say and no proof of evidence become a verdict for for first degree murder. No body, no DNA, no bones, garments or confession/hand wriiten documents from the defendant. The mother of Craig isn't pushing for this conviction the Aunt whom bail Craig out and put her house up is pushing this conviction so she doesn't loose her home. If she could get a death certificate out of the case she get's to keep her house. Just like Craig dissappearing would keep him from doing time. The family of Craig knows him and he's been seen and would do anything to keep from being lockup. He'll leave his family, son change his identity because that's the lifestye he live better know as Street Life. We need to stick to the facts which is there is no solid proof or evidence to convict Watkins. It's time to free jesse

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 5:28pm - Posted by: Anonymous

GO TO: FREEJESSEWATKINS.GOOGLEPAGES.COM THIS IS A WEBSITE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT WATKINS

Fri, 04/18/2008 - 4:47am - Posted by: Anonymous

My prayer is that all involved with this case take a step back and look at what is factual. A human being is being held prisoner for a 1st degree murder charge without proof of committing any crime.
If someone came and told you that, you would be outraged at the justice system and more than likely do what you could to help. This situation is no different!!
Yes, there is an emotional tie to this case for ALL family members involved, but please remember one thing THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANYTHING!! Doesn't anyone realize that?
To accuse a person of such a thing as murder the burden of proof is on you, and if you do not have any proof you cannot say murder was committed!!!!

Fri, 04/04/2008 - 9:44am - Posted by: Anonymous

How can a man be found guilty when there is no evidence? Where is the fairness in this hearing? I am neither a member of the family and I know that this is unjust, yes Jesse has a nasty attitude and he can say some mean and outreagous things at time, but that does not mean that he killed Craig White. It is my understanding that Craig was facing jail time, also remember Craig was a drug dealer, and was involved with the mob, when you are in involved witht he wrong people any thing can happened. Also, it is very possible that a person can disappear and never to be found until he choose to. I know a young man name Kevin Davis who left his entire family behind including his children and today he is still alive. So people including Craid family can not say if craid left on his own or if someone made him leave, they have no ideal what a person would do when their back is against the wall, that includes leaving his son behind. Before you convict an innocent man, find some real and hard evidence, he say she say should not be allow when this is someone life you are trying to put behind bars for a long lenght of time.

Ann

Fri, 02/29/2008 - 11:00am - Posted by: Anonymous

Well im i member of jesse watkins family, and its funny how you people really dont know what happen, all you know is hearsay. How can you accuse someone of something that you dont know? and honestly why do you think he would kill his cousin over a girl. come on now does that really make sense to you? I dont think Jesse would do that and i know craig to he was a troubled boy he was always in trouble and maybe he was trying to better his self but you all know that he was in alot of trouble. But to end my thoughts. people need to think back jesse was and is not the type to harm someboby so i wish you people would just stop accusing the man when nobody really knows.

Wed, 02/27/2008 - 7:42pm - Posted by: Anonymous

I'm a family member of White's and their is noway you can say that your a lawyer and know the truth so if you know that your client is guilty and he is and stop trying to protect him. I've been around Jesse when I was young and Craig is my cousin and I love him dearly but wrong is wrong and sorry to say it Jesse's wrong for what he did and he took Craig from his mother his son and other family members that loved him and now that he did that I will never forgive him no matter what

Wed, 02/27/2008 - 7:38pm - Posted by: Anonymous

C'mon Mr. Robertson this isn't Law and Order.





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