Man casually walks out of court as jury deliberates his case
An Arkansas man has stood up and casually sauntered out of court while a jury was still deliberating his case.
Joey Watts was on trial at the Grant County Courthouse in Sheridan and facing charges of aggravated assault and felony possession of a firearm.
He was accused of threatening a woman with a shotgun in his home on November 29, 2018.
Watts just stood up, and walked out of court. Supplied
He had already been convicted on the assaults charge when he made a runner, Deputy Prosecutor Normal Frisby said.
Surveillance video shows Watts sitting by his attorney, when he abruptly gets up walks out of the court and quickly walks down the stairs and halls before he heads out the door.
"He was out on bond and had not been convicted so this allowed him to move around," Grant County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Pete Roberts told NBC News.
He was out on bond and had not been convicted so he had freedom to move around. Supplied
Watts was advised not to leave, but he did anyway. Supplied
Watts' attorney had told him not to leave but he did, Frisby said.
He was found guilty on both charges and captured a day later. Three others we arrested and charged with their part in assisting him leaving the courthouse.
He was sentenced to a total of 36 years in prison.
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