The plea hearing one week ago today was bizarre for a number of reasons. The Rzuceks were there – on camera – during the press briefing afterwards, but said nothing to the media. The Watts family were there too, but someone got into the building and out of Greeley without being photographed by a single reporter. It was as if they were invisible.
Well, a week later the Watts family are breaking what appears to be a self-imposed silence. They’re maintaining that the plea deal was coerced, which suggests they [and perhaps Chris Watts himself] was pressured into signing the plea, and perhaps misled as well.
But there’s also the other side of the story. The Rzuceks. Do they not want answers too?
A few hours earlier KDVR.com reported on the story:
Christopher Watts will avoid the death penalty in exchange for the plea deal. He pleaded guilty to nine charges: Five counts of first-degree murder, one count of unlawful termination of pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a dead body.
He will be formally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Nov. 19.
Shannan Watts’ family declined to comment.
This suggests KDVR contacted the Rzuceks after Ronnie and Cindy Watts made their statement criticizing the plea deal, and the Rzuceks response was they had no comment. No comment, really?
Probably they’ve been given instructions by the District Attorney to play ball, at least until the sentencing hearing next week in Weld County Court, Greeley, on Monday November 19.
Chris Watts’ parents have until then to wave the flag that something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
It’s such a contrast to see him in the childhood pics. All the ones I have seen are somber, nonsmiling portraits. Whereas any pictures Shan’ann posted show super big smiles all the time.
Can’t the Rzucek family sue Chris Watts for wrongful death as well? He doesn’t have an “estate” but if he tries to get any proceeds from the sale of that house or if his family attempt to write a book and make money from this tragedy they can sue them. I think it’s best they don’t comment at this point. Would you reach out to Mrs. Watts after she said Sha’nann killed their granddaughters?
On November 14, 2018, private counsel on behalf of Cindy and Ronnie Watts requested
the filing of an Entry of Appearance in the above-referenced matter. Cindy and Ronnie Watts
are the paternal grandparents of Bella Watts and Celeste Watts. The paternal grandparents are
“victims” pursuant to C.R.S. 24-4.1-302(5). While not parties to the case, the paternal
grandparents are afforded all the rights encompassed under C.R.S. 24-4.1-302.5 as crime victims
of the child victims. These rights include making a written and/or oral victim impact statement.
At the sentencing hearing scheduled for November 19, 2018, this Court will afford the paternal
grandparents OR their designee and opportunity to deliver a victim impact statement. The Court
does not authorize the acceptance of the Entry of Appearance.
DATE: November 15, 2018
BY THE COURT:
Marcelo A. Kopcow
District Court Judge
Does this last line mean the judge will not let them speak? Thanks
I think it means only one of them may present a statement on behalf of both of them.