Watkins Sentenced

Jonathan Armstrong Watkins, 36, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in Rockbridge County Circuit Court on Tuesday for charges related to the murder of Katrina Dudley on Dec. 10, 2021.

Watkins was convicted on charges of second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a murder by a jury following a week-long trial in July. On Tuesday, Rockbridge Circuit Court Judge Christopher Russell sentenced Watkins to 38 years for the murder, suspending 20 years of that sentence and to three years for the use of a firearm charge, which is the mandatory sentence. Watkins also pled guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to five years, with three suspended. The sentences will be served consecutively. Following his release, Watkins will have to complete five years of supervised probation and maintain good behavior for a period of 25 years.

“We were hoping for a greater sentence, but ultimately, we feel that justice has been served,” Rockbridge County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jared Moon told The News-Gazette on Wednesday.

Members of Dudley’s and Watkins’s families testified at the sentencing hearing. For full details on the hearing, see the Dec. 6 issue of The News-Gazette.