Steven Watkins Crimeline

Steven Watkins

February 7, 1976

Steven Paul Watkins was born in Chandlerville, IL.

August 2006 

Steven married Jennifer Webster

Steven and Jennifer Watkins

June 2007 

Steven and Jennifer’s daughter was born. She was Jennifer’s first child but Steven’s second. 

May 2008

After a period of separation, Steven filed for divorce and asked for custody. 

November 25, 2008 

Steven went to pick his daughter up for a visit the night before a custody hearing. He was shot in the back of the head at the home where his estranged wife and daughter were living. 

October 5, 2009

Jennifer’s grandmother, Shirley Skinner, was arrested and charged for Steven’s murder. 

Shirley Skinner’s mugshot

May 2010 

Shirley Skinner went on trial. Rather than claim self defense/defense of another as was expected, her defense attorney tried for a straight not guilty verdict saying the state could not put the gun in Shirley’s hand. 

The jury convicted Shirley Skinner and sentenced her to 55 years in prison. 

January 2014

Shirley Skinner asked for clemency largely based on her age and health condition. It was denied. 

At the time of publication, she remains incarcerated at the age of 89.

Source: IDOC

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