A Yuba County Superior Court jury on Thursday found a man in a brutal domestic violence case guilty of torture. The conviction is punishable by up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The wife of Robbie Watson testified last week about the beating he gave her, first with his fist and then with a twisted piece of metal scrap, which she referred to as a pipe. He was also charged with attempted murder, for which the jury found him not guilty. The victim, who has moved out of state to gain a sense of safety, said in a phone interview she is disappointed Watson wasnt convicted with attempted murder. I think if the police didnt show up when they did, he would have succeeded, she said in the interview. The torturous abuse took place just days before Watson was scheduled for a court appearance in a previous domestic violence case. He has three prior domestic violence charges and is serving a five-year prison sentence. He was home, out of custody, at the time of this assault on Jan. 10 because he had been ordered to enroll and complete a residential treatment program, which he failed to do. It was a really violent night and it was a confusing night, jury foreman Greg Stone said after the verdict was read. Everyone feels very sad that night took place. ... We feel we came to a clear and just decision. Jurors had been shown photos taken by law enforcement the night of the abuse that showed extensive bruising on the victims face, arms and back, as well as bloody gashes on her head, which required stitches. Photos of Watson also showed bloody gashes, where his wife said she hit him with a spatula in self defense. There was a lot to weigh here, and we took it seriously. Especially when the word murder is raised, Stone said. Jurors began deliberations after closing arguments Tuesday evening and returned their verdict just before noon on Thursday. They found Watson guilty of 10 felony counts, including torture, assault with a deadly weapon with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury, spousal abuse within seven years of a domestic violence conviction, intimidating a victim by force or fear, child abuse, criminal threats, assault with means likely to cause great bodily injury with an enhancement for causing great bodily injury, false imprisonment, intimidation of a witness, and resisting arrest. He was found not guilty on charges of attempted murder and a lesser count of voluntary manslaughter, as well as assault with a deadly weapon in relation to a post hole digger. After the ruling, Watsons mother, Kitty Strain, said she doesnt think all of the truth came out in the trial. I dont think its right, she said. The whole court system is messed up. She said there was a lot of tension in the home when Watson returned home after an 11-month prison sentence. Family therapy should be mandatory, she said, after a parent returns from prison. Watsons wife said shes still scared. Im a little paranoid, actually. Just knowing that hes eventually going to get out, she said. Maybe by then shell have a whole new life, she said, and he wont be able to find her.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:48:10 +0000