For days, Christopher Watts‘ parents Cindy and Ronnie Watts have suggested that his Nov. 6 guilty plea for killing his pregnant wife Shanann, and daughters Bella and Celeste might have been coerced. That changed on Monday.
In a joint statement delivered by a designee, they acknowledged they were previously “misled” about the case, and now “accept” that their son had done this. The couple said that prosecutors gave them more answers, and they changed their mind about the case.
“There is nothing that can be done to cure the harm that he has caused,” the Watts said.
In her solo statement, Cindy said that Chris’ actions “irreparably” broke their and Shanann’s families.
“We are forced to question everything,” father Ronnie said in his statement, which was spoken by their designee.
Nonetheless, both parents said they still loved him, and forgave him for what he did.
The judge sentenced Chris Watts to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors said that the defendant murdered his daughters and wife, and dumped their bodies on property belonging to his employer. Shanann was 15-weeks pregnant, and according to her family, the unborn son was going to be named Nico.
Shanann’s family condemned Watts on Monday.
“Prison is too good for you,” said Frank Rzucek Sr., whose solo statement was delivered on his behalf by Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke.
“You don’t deserve to be called a man,” said Shanann’s brother Frankie Rzucek Jr.
Prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty. Watts’ parents thanked the Rzuceks on Monday for asking the state to do so.
In a solo statement, Shanann’s mother Sandy Rzucek said that it wasn’t her place to call for an execution.
“I know God will put the evil people where they need to be,” she said.
Cindy and Ronnie Watts’ change of tone comes after suggesting that their son might have been pushed into a plea agreement. The defendant’s mother tried to get in touch with a judge, and even said in a media interview that Shanann was “more capable” of murdering Bella and Celeste. That tone changed on Monday, and in their joint statement, they said they were mistaken.
[Screengrab via Law&Crime]