Photo: James Earl Watkins
Originally published as a Shasta County District Attorney’s Office Facebook post –
“Admitted murderer, James Earl Watkins, pleads guilty to 1995 Cold Case murder of Christine Munro, and will receive three life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Today, James Earl Watkins pled guilty to first-degree murder and admitted to 3 special allegations for kidnapping, robbery and lying in wait, for the 1995 murder of Christine Munro.
Watkins waived all of his appeal rights.
He will be sentenced on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 10 of the Shasta County Superior Court.
Christine Munro has three surviving children. They were all consulted and are pleased with the resolution of the case.
Special thanks to the Redding Police Department for their exceptional work in this cold case and for helping to bring long overdue justice to the Baker family.
This case was investigated by the Redding Police Department’s Detective Rusty Bishop, prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel, and the Baker family was supported through the process by Senior Crime Victim Advocate Barbara Dorris.”
