The fatherofShanann Wattswept in the front row of a Colorado courtroom as theslain woman’s husband Chrisstood before a judge on charges he murdered her and the couple’s two children.
Sitting before a judge in an orange jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled,Chris Watts, 33, listened quietly as the judge read the charges against him forallegedly killing Shanann, 34, daughters,Bella, 4 and Celeste, 3, and their unborn son, who they planned to name Nico.
RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post/Getty Images
As the judge recited the charges, Chris sighed heavily, while Shanann’s father, Frank Rzucek, sat bent over in his seat with his hands covering his eyes, sobbing.
Chris Watts.
When the judge asked Chris if he understood the charges and the sentence he could possibly face, which possibly includes the death penalty, Chris quietly replied, “Yes sir.”
Chris did not enter a plea. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 19.
Chris waived a right for a preliminary hearing within 35 days to give his public defenders time to review discovery materials.
Chris was arrested last Wednesday — two days after his wife Shanann was reported missing after she returned to Colorado following a work training event in Arizona.
Chris Allegedly Had Affair With Co-Worker
The bombshell affidavit revealed that Chris was allegedly “actively involved in an affair with a co-worker,” which he had denied in previous interviews with police.
The explosive document also revealed that Chris allegedly admitted he killed Shanann — but only after, he claimed, he“went into a rage”when she strangled one of their daughters.
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Chris initially told an officer that he had talked to Shanann on Monday after waking up about 5 a.m. after she got home from her work trip just before 2 a.m., telling her he wanted a separation in their marriage, the affidavit alleges.
But when Chris later spoke with a detective, he said he’d told Shanann he wanted to separate at 4 a.m. — seemingly conflicting with his earlier assertion that he broached the separation after waking up at about 5 a.m., the affidavit alleges.
Shanann Watts/Facebook
He claimed he subsequently flew into a rage and killed Shanann.He allegedly admitted to dumping the bodiesof the deceased where they were later found.
Chris’ public defender has not responded to PEOPLE’s multiple requests for comment. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 19 for a status hearing. He remains in custody without bond.
source: people.com
