Hearing reveals details in Watson murder case

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — Details in the death of Britney Watson come to light as the suspect appears for his preliminary hearing.

44-year-old Kevin Watson appeared before Judge Jenny Scott Tuesday in Haywood County General Sessions Court.

Watson was arrested in January for the murder of Britney Watson, his ex-wife, after a search that lasted nearly a week.

According to Circuit Court Clerk Mary Margaret Lonon, the hearing lasted over three hours.

The Brownsville Press reports testimony included claims that Watson had threatened to take Britney’s life “if he caught her with Joe King again.”

According to Brownsville Press, King, who was present in court, testified that on the morning of January 7, he and Britney were confronted by Watson at a hotel located off Exit 68 on Interstate 40. King stated Watson came to the location with a gun and argued with the pair. According to King, Britney left the hotel with plans to meet King later in the day, however she did not show up for that meeting. Brownsville Press states investigators believe Britney was shot and killed by Watson on this day.

In a note later found by authorities in Watson’s truck, Kevin allegedly wrote that drugs had taken over Britney’s life and that she’d punched him and pulled a gun, with the phrase “tell my babies I love them” included in the note.

In the days leading to his arrest, investigators believe Watson hid in a deer stand before turning himself in. Britney’s body was allegedly discovered only after Watson drew a map to the gravesite, where her remains were discovered in a barrel buried six feet underground at Watson’s residence on Hillville Loop.

According to the autopsy report, Britney was shot once in the head.

The Brownsville Press also reported that local authorities had previously responded to six domestic violence calls at Watson’s home, and he had once been charged with domestic violence.

Lonon says Judge Scott bound Watson’s case over to the Haywood County Grand Jury, who will meet on March 6 to decide if Watson will receive a true bill. If so, Watson is expected to be arraigned in court on March 13.

Lonon stated that Watson is currently being held without bond in a Tennessee Department of Corrections medical facility.

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