John Watkins
| John Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Missouri–St. Louis Saint Louis University School of Law |
| 💼 Occupation | |
John Watkins is a Las Vegas-based criminal defense attorney. He has served as lead counsel in several high-profile cases, including State of Nevada v. Jessica Williams, in which exotic dancer Jessica Williams was sentenced to 18 to 48 years in prison after falling asleep behind the wheel of her minivan, drifting onto an Interstate 15 (I-15) median north of Las Vegas, and killing six teenage county workers.[1] The case received national media exposure and has been called "one of the most prominent Nevada cases involving a marijuana DUI."[2]
Background[edit]
Watkins graduated with a degree in Philosophy at the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 1977.[3] He received his J.D. degree from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1980.[4]
Noteworthy cases[edit]
Watkins litigated what has been called "one of the most prominent Nevada cases involving a marijuana DUI."[5]
In State of Nevada v. Jessica Williams, six teenagers, serving as a county work crew picking up freeway trash, were killed when a minivan driven by 20-year-old exotic dancer Jessica Williams drifted onto the median and plowed through them.[6] The victims, ages 14 to 16, had been convicted of minor offenses in juvenile court, and in lieu of jail time were assigned to county cleanup crews.[6]
At trial, Williams claimed that she had simply fallen asleep at the wheel, while prosecutors contended that Williams was under the influence of marijuana and ecstasy.[6] Prosecutors argued that Williams should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving and driving under the influence resulting in death.[6] The sentence for a conviction ranged from probation with no incarceration to a prison term of 120 years with the possibility of parole.
Williams admitted that she smoked marijuana the night before the incident.[7] However, Watkins argued that Williams was not under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash.[8] While a jury found that Williams was not impaired and had simply fallen asleep, the "per se" law that allowed no detectable amount of marijuana in the body whatsoever forced a DUI conviction. Williams was found guilty of driving under the influence of marijuana and sentenced to 18 to 45 years in prison for each victim.[9][10]
In October 2019, after 19 years in prison, Williams was granted parole and was released from prison.[11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Woman expresses remorse for crash that killed teens 20 years ago". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 15 March 2020.
- ↑ "Nevada may change DUI law to reflect the unique ways marijuana affects the body". thenevadaindependent.com.
- ↑ "John G. Watkins | DUI Attorney | Las Vegas, NV 89169 | 702-919-6748". John G. Watkins | DUI Attorney | Las Vegas, NV 89169 | 702-919-6748.
- ↑ "John G. Watkins". Ballotpedia.
- ↑ "Nevada may change DUI law to reflect the unique ways marijuana affects the body". thenevadaindependent.com.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Gorman, Tom (February 6, 2001). "Trial Starts for Driver of Van that Killed 6 Teenagers on Road Crew in Nevada". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ Gentry, Dana (June 4, 2019). "Jessica Williams Likely to Be Freed After 19 Years in Prison". Nevada Current. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ Ritter, Ken (16 February 2001). "Jessica Williams found guilty in deaths of six teen-agers - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com.
- ↑ Yahm, Brenda; DeSilva, Kristen (February 27, 2018). "Nevada Parole Board to Decide in Two Weeks on Woman who Killed 6 Kids". Las Vegas: KVVU-TV. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Woman Sentenced for Killing 6 in Crash While Driving on Drugs". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 31, 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Jessica Williams Is Sorry for Car Crash that Left Six Teens Dead". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
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