EASTON, Pa. — A man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of an East Stroudsburg woman during a drug deal was convicted of a lesser count, officials said.
Marquis Michael Watkins, 25, on Thursday was convicted of second-degree murder and related offenses after a four-day Northampton County Court jury trial, county District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta said.
Watkins was charged in the Dec. 10, 2022, shooting of Jani Bostic, 21, in the 1200 block of Butztown Road in Bethlehem.
Detectives uncovered evidence linking Watkins directly to the shooting, including the recovery of the murder weapon in the Butztown Road townhome occupied by Watkins.Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta
Police said Bostic died of the gunshot wounds four days later at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg.
After the shooting, a Bethlehem Police Department investigation led to questioning of Watkins, who denied any involvement in the shooting.
Detectives uncovered evidence linking Watkins directly to the shooting, including the recovery of the murder weapon
in the Butztown Road townhome occupied by Watkins, Baratta said.
Details of investigation
The investigation found that Watkins arranged a marijuana drug deal to take place at the Butztown Road location, where Bostic and another man, Peter Byrne, arrived in a vehicle.
Watkins left his nearby townhome and went to the vehicle occupied by Bostic and Byrne, and there took marijuana, then fatally shot Bostic as she sat in the driver's seat of the vehicle.
Watkins was tried by a jury before Judge Anthony S. Beltrami. He also was convicted of second-degree murder, robbery and firearms offenses.Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta
After Watkins shot Jani Bostic, Peter Byrne returned shots in the direction of Watkins, authorities said.
Watkins initially was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related charges. After Bostic died, the charge was changed to first-degree murder, the DA's office said.
Watkins was tried by a jury before Judge Anthony S. Beltrami. He also was convicted of second-degree murder, robbery and firearms offenses.
The second-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Watkins will be sentenced on a date yet to be determined.
The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney
Robert Eyer.
