Nov. 7 (UPI) — A Colorado man accused of murdering his pregnant wife and two children in August pleaded guilty to all charges against him Tuesday.
Christopher Watts, 33, accepted a deal to have the death penalty taken off the table in exchange for pleading guilty to five counts of first-degree murder, unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.
Watts faces three murder charges for his wife and two daughters as well as two additional charges for the children because they are younger 12 years old.
Watts was arrested in August and confessed to killing his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, as well as their unborn child, Nico.
As part of the plea deal, Watts faces consecutive life terms on three of the five first-degree murder counts and on the one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy, one life sentence for each of the murders.
The court will decide whether the other three charges will be served concurrently or consecutively.
He will also pay restitution to Shanann Watts’ family, as well as funeral and burial costs for the victims.
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said Shanann Watts’ family requested his office not seek the death penalty in the case.
“He made the choice to take those lives, I do not want to be in the position of making the choice to take his,” Shannan’s mother, Sandy Rzucek, told Rourke.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wren said the family was “in full agreement” with the deal reached with the defense.
Under Colorado law, Watts faces at least an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole in a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 19.
PUHLEEEEZZ SPARE ME !! If a man hits his wife or girlfriend and the victim decides not to press charges or testify against him the State can and often does press charges without the victims consent. This wasted, useless, despicable piece of human trash admitted he murdered his wife, two precious daughters AND his unborn son and the District Attorney offers him a deal. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM? Deals should be offered if a person is still missing or the body cannot be located, information that will prevent another murder etc etc. There was no reason to offer him a plea deal. It is weak and pathetic and an insult to his now deceased family. The wife’s mother didnt want the pain of putting him to death. My heart goes out to her. She never should have been placed in that position to begin with for Hells sake. Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought that was the #1 reason we had a judicial system. If every parent of every murder victim was able to spare a life (or not) our prisons would be a hell of a lot less crowded. SHAME ON THE DAs office. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!