Myers handed 3 life sentences: Convicted killer won’t get chance for parole
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However, the fact he fell one year short of the maximum will likely make no difference as included in his sentences were three consecutive life without parole sentences for the murders of Dianne Watts, 42, Jessica Watts, 10, and Chelsie Smith, 13. The sentences were issued Friday afternoon by Judge John Turnbull following a sentencing hearing at Smithville Courthouse.
In addition to the life sentences, Myers was also directed to serve 24 years, at 100 percent, on the charge of aggravated arson. He could have received up to 25 years on the arson charge.
All the aforementioned sentences will be served in addition to the six-year sentence Myers is serving for an unrelated aggravated assault which occurred several months before the murders.
Myers was convicted of the murders this January following a two-week trial in Cookeville. During the trial, prosecutors proved it was Myers who beat the victims to death with a torque wrench and baseball bat. Myers, who was a long-time, live-in boyfriend of the elder Watts, allegedly committed the murders to keep her from reporting his illegal activities, such as theft and drug trafficking, to authorities. Lawmen believe the children were killed because they witnessed the crime. Myers had a history of domestic abuse involving Ms. Watts, including an incident two months before the murders when he told police he was planning to kill Ms. Watts as he was being arrested for allegedly choking her during a dispute.
Myers’ mother, Clementine Myers, is scheduled to stand trial on murder conspiracy charges this summer. She is accused of having criminal knowledge in the murder of Ms. Watts.