Sugar Notch homicide trial to be held in late fall, early winter

Ed Lewis, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Mar. 24—WILKES-BARRE — With few issues to be debated, the homicide trial of Erik Michael Watkins, charged with fatally beating his mother in December 2020, is expected to take place in late fall or winter.

Watkins, 41, was before President Judge Michael T. Vough on Friday for a pre-trial hearing on several topics involving the selection of a jury, the number of photographs that will be shown to the jury and a protection-from-abuse order.

First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross and assistant district attorney Carl Frank said they could decide with Watkins' attorney, Mark Bufalino, about the number of black and white and color photographs shown to the jury.

Vough said he will allow individual questioning of each juror to empanel a jury for the trial as is custom for homicide trials.

One issue that remains unsettled is the admittance of a protection-from-abuse order that Patricia Watkins, obtained against her son.

Vough said he will allow prosecutors and Bufalino to make their arguments about the PFA through legal court filings instead of having a hearing.

Vough said he will scheduled the trial at a later date but is looking at late fall or winter later this year.

State police at Wilkes-Barre charged Watkins with an open count of criminal homicide after he allegedly killed his mother inside her Maffett Street, Sugar Notch, home on Dec. 13, 2020.

An autopsy revealed Patricia Watkins died from multiple traumatic injuries and suffered a number of broken bones in her face, neck and rib cage.

Investigators alleged Watkins smoked marijuana and began beating his step-brother, Jeremy Brodbeck, inside the home.

After Brodbeck and Patricia Watkins barricaded themselves in a small bathroom, Brodbeck jumped out a window and ran for help. Patricia Watkins was found dead inside a tub, court records say.