Jonathan Watson, a 41-year-old California prison inmate, confessed to beating two convicted child molesters to death with a cane. Watson, already serving a life sentence for a 2009 murder, claimed he took action to protect other prisoners from the abusers.
Despite warning prison officials about his inability to control himself around child molesters, his pleas were ignored. After a security level downgrade, Watson was placed in dorm-style living, where he encountered the offenders. Frustrated by the situation, he wrote, “I packed all of my things because I knew… the situation would be resolved.” Watson killed the first molester after witnessing inappropriate behavior.
Later, he turned himself in, confessing to the guard, “I’ve got some pretty bad news.” Watson’s brutal act sheds light on the challenges within the prison system.
