GUILTY: Luther Watkins Jr. Convicted of Murdering Tuscaloosa Police Investigator

After a short deliberation, the jury has convicted Luther Bernard Watkins, Jr. of the capital murder of Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Dornell Cousette more than six years after their deadly gunfight.

The trial lasted all week long, and the closing arguments ended Friday morning. The 12-member jury began deliberations after lunch. After the alternates were dismissed, the jury was made up of six white women, three white men, two black women and one black man.

As the Thread has extensively reported, Watkins shot and killed Investigator Cousette on September 16th, 2019, inside the 33rd Avenue home of a woman named Nannie Chambers.

Watkins testified Thursday that he was staying in a tent in her backyard because he knew he was wanted on first-degree robbery and second-degree assault charges.

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A small group of family and friends was gathering at the home that day to celebrate the life of Chambers' sister after her recent death, and Watkins joined them for an afternoon of playing spades and hanging out.

That evening, Investigator Dornell Cousette and bail bondsman Ed Giles arrived at the home in separate vehicles, looking for Watkins. Giles said the plan was to just drive by and confirm Watkins was there, but Cousette got out of his unmarked Ford Taurus and moved to arrest the then-20-year-old fugitive.

Cousette yelled a command ordering Watkins not to run, but he stood from the card table and sprinted inside the house. Cousette followed just behind, in an instant, gunshots erupted within.

Watkins was shot twice, first in the back and then in the chest. Cousette was hit by the only bullet Watkins fired, which struck him in the upper lip and sent fragments into his brain and skull. The 40-year-old officer was instantly incapacitated and died at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa hours later.

Watkins fled the scene, rode with a friend to DCH Northport Medical Center, and was charged with the capital murder of a law enforcement officer as soon as his wounds were treated enough for him to be incarcerated.

He has been held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond since September 2019.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors have said Watkins murdered Cousette in the line of duty as the investigator tried to make a lawful but risky solo arrest on a wanted fugitive.

The defense admitted Watkins fired the deadly shot, but claimed self-defense and said Cousette was off-duty, teamed up with a bounty hunter, and was acting against orders when he shot Watkins in the back as he ran away.

They said when the 20-year-old fell to the ground inside the house, it was kill-or-be-killed, and Watkins drew his own weapon and shot Cousette even as the investigator shot him a second time.

The jury ultimately agreed with prosecutors and found Luther Watkins Jr. guilty of capital murder.

The only sentencing outcomes available are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

District Attorney Hays Webb has said the state intends to seek execution.

Judge Brad Almond said the jury will reconvene on Tuesday after the Presidents Day holiday to begin considering the sentence Watkins will face.

Reactions came in from all over the community to the verdict, including from Mayor Walt Maddox, acting Tuscaloosa Police Chief Sebo Sanders and Executive Director of Public Safety Brent Blankley.

"Today’s verdict brings accountability for a loss that will always be felt in Tuscaloosa. Investigator Dornell Cousette chose courage, duty, and fidelity to all. Throughout his life and his career, he chose hope. In this moment, our city chooses hope, too," Maddox wrote in a statement. "We will continue to honor his life and his sacrifice by supporting his family, standing with the men and women of TPD, and never losing sight of our commitment to the work of keeping our community safe. We are grateful to the jury for their service, and we will never forget Investigator Cousette and the love and hope that he poured into our community."

Lisa Young, the President of the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the NAACP, said there were no winners after the verdict - two Black families are dealing with incredible loss.

"The verdict is in, and it is guilty. There are no winners in a case like this. I’ve been monitoring the reactions on social media, and they are understandably mixed, but this moment also reminds us of something critically important, the power of our vote," Young said in a statement. "Our judges, our District Attorney, and those who help oversee the jury selection process are elected. That means the community has a direct voice in shaping the system that delivers justice. Voting is not optional, it is a necessity!"

"My prayers are with the family of the officer who lost his life and with the family of the individual who has been convicted," she continued. "Both families are carrying an unimaginable weight today, and our community must move forward with compassion, responsibility, and a commitment to civic engagement.

For coverage of the sentencing hearing as this trial finally wraps up, and for other crime and courts news from around West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.