Judge Mulls Evidence of Watkins’ Motive, Temperment

COURT HOUSE – Nine witnesses testified Feb. 20 about their knowledge of a young woman with whom both Jesse Watkins and Craig White, both of Whitesboro, had a romantic relationship over 18 years ago, and now Judge Raymond Batten will decide whether evidence of jealousy and prior wrongdoing by Watkins is relevant and not so prejudicial to be admitted at his upcoming murder trial here.
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. No body has ever been found.
The two 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 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 declined 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 prosecutor, and “Cape May County,” was 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.
Watkins’ counsel, Christopher Robertson, argued that without Watkins in the courtroom, his client would ultimately 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 Feb. 29 when Judge Batten will decide what evidence the State may admit.
Correction: An earlier version of the story incorrectly identified Craig White as the one Jesse Watkins allegedly pointed a gun at in 1985.
See the Feb. 27 issue of the Herald for the complete story.