On March 22, 2005 it is alleged that a shooting occurred in Suffolk, Virginia with an individual saying he was grazed on the hand by a bullet. On April 12, 2005 the incident was mentioned in the local newspaper, the Suffolk News Herald, with 16-year-old Pierre Watkins named as wanted for the shooting. Two days later, Pierre turned himself in and was charged with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting into an occupied dwelling, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm while a convicted felon.

At the pretrial hearing on June 6, 2005 the judge dismissed both the malicious wounding and shooting into an occupied vehicle charges stating there wasn't reason to believe this happened. A few weeks later the DA, without any additional evidence, had a secret grand jury re-indict Pierre on these two dismissed charges. On September 23, 2005 Pierre went to trial, was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to five consecutive sentences totaling 22 years. He began this sentence, while still a juvenile, in an adult level 5 maximum-security prison.

The key points warranting a legal review of his care are that there was no physical evidence to support any of the charges, there are no witnesses to this case, the alleged victim didn't go to the hospital nor receive any medical treatment for this alleged gunshot wound, there was no expert and no medical witness to even testify the alleged victim was shot. From the initial statement to the detective, to the pre-trial testimony, to the actual trial, the alleged victim testimony constantly changed. Pierre was found guilty solely on the alleged victim's, a statement from this individual's brother, and a picture of a scratch on the alleged victim's hand from which the DA, not a medical expert, stated it was a gunshot graze.

Moreover, the alleged victim later told people, including Pierre's mother and stepfather, that he actually accidentally shot himself and did not want to get in trouble for having a gun and it is for this reason he told his mom and the detective that Pierre did it. This version can also be supported by the fact that the forensic specialist retrieved gunshot residue (GSR) off of both hands of the alleged victim. Aside from all the above, know that there was also no crime scene, no shell casing, and again no witness, or no proof that the alleged victim was even shot.

Pierre Watkins is now 33 and has been incarcerated since he was 16 for this wrongful conviction. He remains in prison with a few years to go for an individual's flawed testimony and a photo of a scratch on his hand. Pierre's family and friends are raising funds for legal counsel to bring his case to the Virginia Convictions Integrity Unit to review. We greatly appreciate your financial help for legal efforts on his behalf.