Man Accused Of Killing Lakewood Attorney Appears In Court
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - A convict released early from prison and accused of killing an attorney in Lakewood appeared in court Wednesday morning.
Warren Watson also faces charges of rape. In court he waived his right to a jury trial to instead have his case determined by the judge. However that won't happen because the prosecution did not consent to a bench trial.
Prosecutors cited a specific statute that says a defendant cannot waive their right to a jury trial in Class 1 felony cases unless the prosecution approves. The judge agreed, setting a trial start date in February.
Watson on Wednesday morning pleaded not guilty to the 18 charges related to the murder of Claudia Miller. The 61-year-old attorney was found dead in her Lakewood office last March.
Watson was arrested in Idaho three days later on an unrelated parole violation.
Prosecutors said after talking with Miller's family they will not seek the death penalty.
Watson is due back in court at the end of the month.
