RIPLEY, Tenn. (AP) — State prosecutors will be seeking the deathpenalty in the trial of a Tennessee convict charged with killing a correctionsadministrator and escaping prison on a tractor.
Lauderdale County district attorney Mark Davidson said Tuesdaythat he has filed a notice of intent to seek death if Curtis Ray Watson isconvicted of first-degree murder in the slaying of longtime Tennessee Departmentof Correction administrator Debra Johnson.
Watson has been indicted on 15 counts including premeditatedmurder and rape. He hasn’t entered a plea in the case.
Judge Joe Walker set an Oct. 26 trial date.