A McKinney man who attempted to kill himself and his 8-year-old autistic son will serve the rest of his life in jail.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis recently found 34-year-old Kendall Thigpen-Watkins guilty of attempted capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison.
Thigpen-Watkins’ divorced wife contacted the police in June of last year, reporting that he was suicidal and at home alone with their child.
Officers who responded to their residence attempted unsuccessfully to persuade him to come out. They broke down the door because they were concerned for the child’s safety.
According to prosecutors, Thigpen-Watkins jumped from a second-floor banister while holding his son. He and the small child had cords wrapped around their necks.
The officers were able to kill both of them before they could sustain major injuries.
The district attorney said following the sentence, “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.” “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.”
Witnesses stated at the trial that Thigpen-Watkins stalked his estranged wife during their divorce procedures and fired firearms in one instance.
The judge gave him the maximum penalty permitted by law.
