(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis today announced that Kendall Thigpen-Watkins, 34, has been sentenced to life in prison for the attempted capital murder of his 8-year-old son.
On June 23, 2023, McKinney police received a 911 call from Thigpen-Watkins’s wife, who reported that he had contacted her with threats to hang himself and their autistic son. At the time, the couple was undergoing a divorce, and Thigpen-Watkins was alone at home with their child. Responding officers arrived at the residence and attempted to communicate with Thigpen-Watkins, who initially indicated he would come out to speak with them. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to get him to exit the house, officers, concerned for the child’s safety, decided to breach the front door.
As officers entered the home, they witnessed Thigpen-Watkins jumping from the second-floor bannister while holding his son in his arms. Both were hanging from separate ropes tied around their necks. Officer Jason Ogburn immediately ran to the child, lifted him up, and was able to cut him down before he sustained life-threatening injuries. Officers Joe Mendez, Aaron Seymour, and Zachary Hamilton assisted and were also able to cut down Thigpen-Watkins. Thanks to the swift actions of the officers, the child suffered only rope burns to his neck and no internal injuries.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury found Thigpen-Watkins guilty of attempted capital murder.
During the trial, witness testimony revealed that Thigpen-Watkins had admitted to stalking his ex-wife throughout the divorce proceedings, frequently appearing unannounced. These actions escalated, culminating in an incident where he pulled a gun and fired a shot at a third party.
Presiding over the trial, Judge Angela Tucker sentenced Thigpen-Watkins to life in prison, the maximum sentence permitted by law.
“Thanks to the swift and courageous actions of McKinney officers, this child’s life was saved from a tragic fate at the hands of the very person who should have protected him,” stated District Attorney Willis after the sentencing. “We hope that this life sentence brings justice and a sense of safety to the child and his mother as they begin the healing process.”
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, with support from District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller.
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