One of the three individuals who either entered a guilty plea or was found guilty for their roles in the 2022 shooting death of Alijah Watts was sentenced in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday, while the two others were delayed.
Christian McKeel had previously entered a guilty plea facilitation to murder and second-degree robbery before trial began in September, which came with a recommended sentence of 11 years. He requested in court Wednesday that he be granted probation, and read an apology to the family of Watts, saying there’s no excuse for what happened that day.
McKeel drove the then 17-year-old Jonathan Weston and then 16-year-old Joshua Cotton to Casey’s with intent to commit a robbery, with the events ultimately ending in the death of Watts.
Watts’ mother spoke against probation, saying her son doesn’t get a second-chance, so neither should McKeel.
Judge John Atkins denied probation and sentenced McKeel to prison.
The defense attorney for Weston filed a motion to have Weston’s case sent back to juvenile court for the sentencing, based on the amended charges that he pleaded guilty to, which were facilitation to first-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment. Watts’ family was against that action, saying he made adult decisions and should face adult consequences.
Judge Atkins clarified that the law would require it go to juvenile court, and Watts’ mother said she would want the Commonwealth to withdraw the plea, if that is the case.
Another hearing was set for November 16, which is when Cotton is set to reappear in court, and the judge urged both parties to file appropriate motions in that time concerning the possibility of withdrawing the guilty plea offer, and have any discussions they need to have.