Both said Watson did not show any violent or aggressive behavior in school, but that he had a different personality back then. Marilyn Cox was in a dispute with him over visitation rights when she was gunned down. I screamed, she said. Hinkle said she would be there, but that shes not too excited about the prospect of seeing his face. You have permission to edit this article. Also in 2003, Cox and Farnsworth were shot and killed at Cox's home on the northwest side of Tucson. David Dwayne Watson, age 50s, lives in Pontiac, MI. In October 2016, David Watson was put to trial for the murders of Linda Watson, Marilyn Cox, and Renee Farnsworth. Skeletal remains found in the desert in 2003 were positively identified as Watson eight years later, according to the Pima County Sheriffs Department. The trial began Tuesday, Oct. 4, with jury selections and wasexpected to last up tosix weeks. The video shows Jordynn saying she spent that day with both her grandmother's and Marilyn Cox dropped her off at home. Crime Whats more shocking is that when her mother, Marilyn Cox, launched a massive search for her daughter, she too was mercilessly killed along with her neighbor. Prosecutors claim Watson killed the women overchild custody disputes. I don't recall.". Our family is overjoyed that David finally is behind bars. He filed an appeal in court the next month, but it was rejected after deliberation in November 2019. On August 20, 2000, Linda attended church and had lunch with her mother, after which Marilyn dropped her home and left. TUCSON, Ariz. - A Tucson firefighter who was long suspected by authorities in the killings of his ex-wife, his mother-in-law and a third woman nearly 15 years ago was arrested Saturday. He filed a petition for review to the Arizona Supreme Court in January, and in August the justices ordered the court of appeals to reconsider one portion of their ruling. I will always miss my sister, she said. The families of the victims said they lived for years believing that David Watson was responsible for their deaths. I hated what he did.. Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hunter, 136 Ariz. 45, 50 (1983), it presented evidence that Watson and Linda had been involved in a bitter custody battle over Jordynn, which had resulted in weekly hostile confrontations, Linda had expressed great fear of Watson harming her, and she went missing only three days before the scheduled hearing on her childcustody dispute with Watson. Watson, 48, was convicted of one count of second-degree murder in the 2000 death of Linda Watson, 35. This article was published more than7 years ago. The sentences will run consecutively and Watson will serve 66 years before he is eligible for parole. She said her father was very kind-hearted and tried to provide a safe environment for her. Rio Nuevo eyes historic house from Tucson's lost barrio, Five takeaways from No. But it wasnt until Saturday thatthe Pima County Sheriffs Department finally arrestedthe firefighter. He also was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the 2003 fatal shootings of Cox, 63, and Farnsworth, 53. Jordynn Watson says her father still says he's innocent and she still believes him. There were times Hinkle would be afraid being outside in the dark, she recalled. 15-year-old murder mystery ends with the arrest of a Tucson fire captain. Families of 3 slaying victims share their stories | Local news | tucson.com Skip to main content Skip to main content Watson said he was hopeful his appeal would exonerate him. The two women were close friends and neighbors. She originally said David was home at time of themurder, but it was later revealed he "went for a walk.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. . David Dwayne Watson. Inside the house there are signs of a struggle, including a broken cup and drops of blood. He was given credit for 723 days already spent incarcerated. I told Marilyn I will see this through, she said. "The hardest thing for me is you have this conception of how court works you come in everyone gets to hear all of the evidence and the jury decides upon everything that's not the way it works at all. View David Dwayne Watson results in Montana (MT) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. The next morning,a repairman stopped by her house on a sandy stretch of road in Tucson and found thebackdoor open. She says life is ok, but she has alot on her plate. In its Vargas ruling, the supreme court agreed Vargas was entitled to argue that the cumulative effect of a pattern of alleged prosecutorial misconduct can warrant a new trial, rather than having to argue each individual act of misconduct. Preceded in death by: Mother & Father, Grace and Hubert Crowder; Son, Dwayne Watson; Daughter Teresa Lynn Watson; Sister, Marie Murr; Brothers, J.W. Suitt said it could be weeks before authorities reveal why, exactly, they are charging David Watson with the three murders now, almost 12 years after Cox and a neighbor were killed and nearly 15 years after Linda Watsons disappearance. Watson, a captain with the Tucson Fire Department, was booked into Pima County jail on three counts of first-degree murder with a $2 million bond, reports CBS affiliate KOLD. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the victims.. Linda Watson's mother, Marilyn Cox, then became involved in civil litigation with David Watson to get unsupervised visitation rights with the couple's only daughter. She was seven when her grandmother, Marilyn Cox, and Renee Farnsworth were gunned down after dropping Jordynn off at David Watson's home in 2003. Earlier this year, David Dwayne Watson was convicted of two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Second Degree Murder. Pat Hinkle, sister of Cox and aunt of Linda Watson, said she was overjoyed.. Its not about him.. At the time of her mother's disappearance, she was four. Watsons motion for a new trial was denied in April 2017 at which time he was sentenced. Aug. 21, 2000: A repairman finds Linda Watsons backdoor unlocked. But Hinkle said she wasnt real, real afraid. She knew that if anything were to happen to her, the authorities would know where to look. He's charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Case involves deaths of woman, her mother and mother's friend. About four years ago, she decided it was time to relieve herself of the weight by forgiving the man who she believed had killed her sister and niece. The prosecution showed jurors a videotape of a Pima County Sheriff's detective interviewing the then-seven-year-old one day after her grandmother was murdered. He previously worked at the Nogales International. TUCSON, Ariz. KGUN 9 sat down with Jordynn Watson -- the daughter of convicted killer and former Tucson Fire Captain David Watson -- who's now serving time in prison for three murders. Three years after her disappearance her remains were found in the Tucson mountains, the remains were verified more than 2. If for some reason this man is released, we dont want him to be able to guess the identities of our witnesses from the information weve released, he said. And at times, seeing those pictures trigger raw emotions. Families and friends of the three homicide victims remembered their loved ones, and spoke about forgiveness, hope and justice in a news conference Wednesday held by Homicide Survivors, an advocacy group. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. A few clouds. With the angels she does now fly. Authorities admit that suspicion has always centeredon David Watson, who was locked in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife when she disappeared. Survivors include: husband of 62 years, David Watson; daughter, Ginger Watson; son & daughter-in-law, Kimery & Teresa Watson; granddaughter, Taylor Watson; brothers, Claude & Mary. She said she isnt the kind of person to resent. 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"Throughout the entire investigation for 15 years, he has been our primary suspect.". Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. Authorities admit that suspicion has always centered on David Watson, who was locked in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife when she disappeared. MOBILE USERS: Download the Tucson News Now app forApple IAndroid devices. Though it may seem like a strange song for a little girl to like, there's no doubt young Tia has found favor with it by watching the video . "I understand they're hurt from my mom being gone she was my mother and my grandmother clearly I am hurt also , they clearly thought my dad had done it. Sarah Meyhew, Watsons appellate attorney with the Pima County Public Defender, has until Oct. 26 to file a supplemental brief to the original appeal in order to address the recent State v. 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David Watson, a former fire captain, isaccused of killing his ex-wife Linda Watson, her mother Marilyn Cox and Cox's friend Renee Farnsworth. When she forgave, she said the weight came off of her shoulders. Court records show Watsons first trial ended with a hung jury, but in May 2017 a second jury convicted him of the May 2003 murders of his former mother-in-law Marilyn Cox and her friend Renee Farnsworth, who were found shot to death outside their Tucson home. Amid a bitter custody battle between the formerly married couple, Linda Watson went missing in August 2000. Contact reporter Curt Prendergast at 573-4224 or cprendergast@tucson.com or on Twitter @CurtTucsonStar. She spoke candidly about her fathers case and her hopes for the future. The defense attorney for David Watson, who worked in the Tucson Fire Department from 1995 to 2015 and faces three murder charges, said authorities misread the evidence and failed to tie. After a few days passed and Linda missed a custody hearing, Marilyn launched a search for her missing daughter, and three years passed before another tragedy occurred. Actor: Beneath the Planet of the Apes. David Watson's daughter (now 20) recalls what she remembers the day her mother disappeared (when she was 4) @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/RHYYByMPMS, Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) October 21, 2016. He asked Bernini to give him concurrent sentences so maybe I can be back with my kids, he said as he choked up. Nonetheless, it was only on April 25, 2015, that David Watson was finally arrested in connection to the three deaths, thus putting an end to the lengthy investigation. Its about time, said Dorothy Dottie Brady, Farnsworths daughter. TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The young woman at the center of a custody battle 16-years ago took the stand on Friday. David Watson is currently incarcerated for life at the Mohave Unit of the Arizona State Prison Complex in Douglas. The jury also found him guilty of the second-degree murder of his ex-wife Linda Watson, who was reported missing in August 2000 at age 35. Watson's lawyers have claimed the case against their client isn't very strong. Aug. 21, 2000: Linda Watson misses an appointment with her attorney to file a restraining order against David Watson. David and Linda Watson were in a custody battle over their daughter Jordynn when Linda disappeared. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Friday night shootings at an upscale restaurant shocked Tucson but are just the latest of many domestic-violence killings. On trial in deaths of ex-wife, her mother and her friend. You have permission to edit this article. FILE - This April 26, 2015 file photo provided by the Pima County Sheriff's Department shows, David Dwayne Watson, in Tucson, Ariz. In January 2021, David filed yet another appeal for a third trial, stating prosecutorial misconduct as the primary reason, but the court upheld its previous judgment. On May 7, 2003, 63-year-old Marilyn and her neighbor and friend, Renee Farnsworth, were fatally shot dead in the formers driveway by an unidentified assailant. She took the stand Friday afternoon, called by the prosecution. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME. The Tucson Fire Department is saddened to learn about the circumstances related to one of our employees, fire departmentspokesman Barrett Baker said. Weekend temperatures will increase 5 to 7 degrees. In a memorandum decision, we affirmed those convictions and sentences, having, as relevant to this matter, considered and rejected Watson's numerous claims of prosecutorial misconduct except for several relating to the state's opening statement. Contents 1 Background and murder 2 Trials 3 Appeals and execution 4 See also 5 References Background and murder [ edit] Green played a video of seven-year-old Jordynn Watson being questioned by a detective the day after her grandmother Marilyn Cox was killed. Daughter of former Tucson fire captain takes stand in murder trial, Man killed in crash at Pima, Craycroft in Tucson, Prolonged rainfall leads to water rescues, road closures, Gas leak causes evacuation at Tucson home, Opening statements begin in murder trial of former Tucson fire captain, Update: What led to the arrest of David Watson, David Watson pleads not guilty to 3 murder charges. They didn't have enough evidence until four days ago to arrest Watson and accuse him of murder in Linda's death and in the 2003 deaths of Linda's mother and her mother's friend. April 2015: Deputies arrested 47-year-old David Watson at his home. One of the key witnesses in this case and the first person to testify is Rosemary Watson, who was married to David Watson when Linda Watson disappeared. In 2000, Linda Watson, Watsons ex-wife, disappeared during a custody fight over their daughter. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Pima County Sheriff's Department arrested David Dwayne Watson, 46, in connection with three murder cases. Watson is serving 66 years in prison for the murders of his ex-wife Linda Watson, her mother Marilyn Cox and family friend Renee Farnsworth. Though the couple was embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their 4-year-old child, Linda received a lot of support from her mother, Marilyn Cox, who formerly lived in Rushville and frequently visited the former. A 16-year-old cold case heads to trial Wednesday. 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He must then serve at least 25 years of each life sentence before being eligible for release. In 2009: Bones were found near the Tucson Mountains. In 2003, while fighting for visitation rights of Watson's child, Linda's mother Marilyn Cox, and family friend Renee Farnsworth were gunned down. The motive that Pima County Sheriff's Department investigators quickly focused on was a custody dispute over the divorced couple's then-4-year-old daughter, Jordynn. The family brought Farnsworths ashes to the news conference. The skull wasnt identified as hers until 2011, due to a mistaken assumption it belonged to someone who died after crossing the border illegally. Linda Watson vanishedon Aug. 20, 2000. It just goes to show you that the men and women of this department are bulldogs, Nanos said. In 2000, Linda Watson, Watson's ex-wife, disappeared during a custody fight over their daughter. The families must now face the man who they believe to have killed their loved ones in court. / CBS/AP. 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