The Unforgotten: Episode 12 - "Your Questions, Answered"

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host/Authors: Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson
Description: In this bonus episode of Season 1, "The Labor Day Ghost," Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson address listener questions surrounding the unresolved murder of Shelley Salter Watkins in Corsicana, Texas.

Introduction

In Episode 12 of "The Unforgotten," hosts Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson delve into a series of listener-submitted questions, providing deeper insights into the intricate and chilling case of Shelley Salter Watkins. This episode serves as an essential guide for both long-time followers and new listeners seeking to understand the complexities of the investigation and the enduring quest for justice.

1. Jerry Mack Watkins’ Other Child

Question: Why are people so interested in Jerry Mack Watkins' son from a previous relationship?

Carol Dawson (01:37):
"Because he was an illegitimate child. Jerry had fathered this child but denied paternity until legally compelled to acknowledge him."

The revelation of Jerry Mack Watkins' additional child created significant tension, especially after his marriage to Shelly. Shelly discovered his prior marriages and his son only after their union, leading to feelings of betrayal and complicating family dynamics.

Wes Ferguson (03:28):
"The son has grown up, has a family of his own, and doesn’t bear the Watkins name. Despite attempts to contact him, he values his privacy and has limited involvement with the Watkins family."

2. Rumors About the Watkins Residence for Sale

Question: Has the Watkins residence been put up for sale?

Carol Dawson (04:52):
"I have heard absolutely zero confirmation of that, and I don't think it's true."

Wes adds that the house isn't listed on any major real estate platforms and that communication with Jake Felt, the former son-in-law, indicates the residence remains unsold. The hosts deem the sale rumors as baseless but acknowledge their prevalence among listeners.

3. Dennis Bryant’s Interaction with Law Enforcement

Question: Was Dennis Bryant, ex-husband of K. Bryant, ever interviewed by the police?

Carol Dawson (06:07):
"I have never been able to ascertain that. Given his close association with Jerry and Shelly, it's likely he was interviewed, but confirmation remains elusive."

Wes Ferguson (08:34):
"Dennis Bryant passed away in 2019. Attempts to reach his family for comments were unsuccessful."

Carol speculates that Dennis would have been a potential witness due to his longstanding friendship with Jerry and presence at key events, but without concrete evidence, his involvement remains unclear.

4. Shelly’s Potential Hidden Information

Question: Shelley mentioned knowing things that could cause the family trouble. Has this information been uncovered?

Carol Dawson (11:01):
"The idea that Shelly hid information is intriguing, but no concrete evidence has been found. Any such details would likely have been shared with someone close, possibly her sister Sandy."

Despite extensive interviews and investigations, there remains no verified information indicating that Shelley concealed critical evidence. Both hosts express hope that future discoveries might shed light on this possibility.

5. Jerry Mack Watkins’ Response to Discovery Requests

Question: Did Jerry Mack ever respond to discovery requests? If not, why?

Carol Dawson (15:59):
"Jerry lawyered up immediately after Shelly's death, engaging a strong legal team led by Glenn Sod. He stonewalled law enforcement, denying them access to the property until compelled by a search warrant, and has never been deposed or interviewed regarding the case."

The hosts highlight Jerry's strategic legal maneuvers to protect himself, which have significantly hindered the investigation's progress and transparency.

6. Settlement of the Civil Suit

Question: Why was there no public reflection of the mediated settlement agreement in Shelly’s wrongful death suit against Jerry?

Wes Ferguson (17:03):
"The suit was settled out of court, and settlements typically don't require public disclosure of terms. The case was simply marked as 'dropped.'"

Carol Dawson (18:01):
"Sandy, Shelly's sister, regrets not being more assertive in obtaining documentation from the settlement, leading to lingering frustrations and unanswered questions."

The lack of public details about the settlement has contributed to ongoing suspicions and feelings of incomplete justice among Shelly’s family and supporters.

7. Reasons the Case Hasn't Been Reopened

Question: Why hasn't the case been retried or reopened?

Carol Dawson (21:05):
"The case has never been officially closed. The District Attorney, E. Ray Andrews, attempted to solicit a bribe, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. In exchange for cooperation against Andrews, the FBI refrained from further investigating the murder, effectively leaving Jerry Mack Watkins unchallenged."

Wes Ferguson (21:38):
"This corruption within the legal system has hindered any attempts to revisit the case, as the DA’s involvement with the FBI precluded them from pursuing Watkins’ murder charges effectively."

The intertwining of corruption and legal maneuvering has left the case in a perpetual state of limbo, preventing closure and accountability.

8. Potential Media Coverage: Book and Television

Question: Are there plans for a book or TV adaptation about Shelley Watkins’ case?

Carol Dawson (29:03):
"Yes. I'm writing a book titled 'Labor Day: A Brief History of Murder in Corsicana,' which integrates all the intricate details and new findings from our podcast. Additionally, Sundance TV's true crime series 'It Couldn't Happen Here' is producing an episode on the case, and ABC 2020 is developing a two-and-a-half-hour documentary special."

Wes Ferguson (32:07):
"The documentary aims to explore the case further, especially highlighting the challenges faced by the investigators and the community's enduring quest for justice."

These upcoming projects promise to bring renewed attention and possibly new leads to the cold case, offering both historical context and contemporary analysis.

9. Debunking the Random Stranger Theory

Question: Why was the theory that a random stranger killed Shelley dismissed?

Carol Dawson (37:00):
"The theory lacks plausibility on several fronts:

• Shelley’s aggressive departure from home after a quarrel made it unlikely she'd encounter a random stranger.
• The house lights remained on until 4 AM, contradicting Jerry’s claim of going to bed immediately.
• The method of body disposal was intricate and utilized materials from Jerry’s construction business, suggesting insider involvement.
• The violent nature of the murder, including multiple head lacerations, doesn't align with a random encounter."

Wes Ferguson (40:56):
"The logistical improbabilities and lack of evidence supporting this theory make it an unlikely scenario for Shelley's murder."

The hosts emphasize that the evidence points towards a more personal and calculated perpetrator, aligning with suspicions surrounding Jerry Mack Watkins.

10. Shelley’s Transportation from Lake House to Home

Question: How did Shelley get from the lake house back to her home if Jerry took her car earlier that night?

Carol Dawson (43:42):
"Speculations include:

• Jerry’s brother, Ronnie, might have driven her.
• Possibly Kay, Jerry’s current wife, could have driven her, though conflicting statements suggest otherwise.
• It’s also possible that no one stayed with the children, indicating Shelley's transportation was arranged to facilitate the disposal of her body."

Wes Ferguson (46:03):
"This remains one of the many unanswered questions, highlighting gaps in the timeline and fostering further suspicions about the case dynamics."

Understanding Shelley's movements that night is crucial, yet the lack of definitive answers continues to obscure the truth.

11. The Justice Billboard on I-45

Question: What can you tell us about the billboard erected on I-45 featuring Shelly’s photo?

Carol Dawson (46:07):
"The 'Justice for Shelly' billboard, inspired by the film 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,' was strategically placed along I-45 to target Jerry Mack Watkins’ construction business. Installed by Shelly’s nieces, the billboard remained for two weeks, symbolizing the family's ongoing struggle for closure and justice."

Wes Ferguson (47:52):
"The billboard has become a poignant reminder to motorists and the community alike, keeping Shelly’s case in the public eye and challenging the silence surrounding the ongoing investigation."

The billboard serves as a powerful statement against the backdrop of a community grappling with unresolved grief and systemic corruption.

Conclusion

Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson reaffirm their commitment to uncovering the truth behind Shelley Salter Watkins' tragic and unresolved murder. They encourage listeners to continue supporting the investigation by donating information and staying engaged with ongoing developments. The hosts emphasize that "The Unforgotten" will persist in its pursuit of justice, ensuring that Shelley’s story remains alive and that the quest for answers does not fade into obscurity.

Carol Dawson:
"It's now. One of the interesting things about this whole case is that people don't want to let it go... their voices have been very, very strong in support of our podcast and of the story itself and what becomes of it."

Wes Ferguson:
"Our promise to them is that this story is not going away."

As the episode concludes, listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the case's complexities and the unwavering determination of those seeking justice for Shelley Salter Watkins.

For more updates, visit unforgottenpod.com and join the Facebook group "Never Give Up Justice for Shelley" to stay connected with the community and share any new information related to the case.