Attorneys for two juveniles and an adult charged in connection to the March fatal shooting at a convenience store on Fort Campbell Boulevard appeared in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.
Juveniles Joshua Cotton and Jonathon Weston are charged with murder and 20-year old Christian McKeel is charged with complicity of murder in the death of 19-year old Alijah Watts at Casey’s General Store on the night of March 2nd. Cotton also faces additional charges of first-degree robbery and theft by unlawful taking (firearm).
During a pretrial conference, attorneys for juveniles and McKeel, along with Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling appeared before Judge John Atkins. The attorney representing Weston said she is going to file a motion for bond reduction with Judge Atkins advising the two attorneys representing the juveniles to see if they can appear via Zoom from the facilities where they are being held before scheduling a date for the bond motion hearing.
Judge Atkins then set a pretrial conference for mid-September.
click to download audioAccording to Hopkinsville Police, Cotton allegedly shot Watts during an attempted robbery at the convenience store. Detectives said McKeel and Weston helped lure Watts to the store then McKeel helped Cotton and Weston leave the area after the shooting.
Police said Watts was shot in the abdomen and was taken by ambulance to Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville where he later died.
