41-year-old Jonathan Watson, a California prison inmate, confessed to beating two convicted child molesters to death with a cane. Watson explained in a letter that he had repeatedly warned prison officials about his inability to coexist with child molesters but was ignored. He had been transferred to a lower-level security classification facility, allowing him to share a dorm with other inmates.
Six days after the transfer, a child molester, referred to as “Molester #1,” began watching PBS Kids in front of inmates. Feeling threatened, Watson packed his belongings, anticipating a violent confrontation. He met with a prison counselor, demanding to be moved back to a higher security level, but his request was dismissed.
On the day of the killings, Watson confronted “Molester #1” with a cane, beating him to death. He then encountered “Molester #2” and decided to kill him as well. Watson eventually turned himself in to a prison guard.
Watson had been serving a life sentence for a 2009 murder conviction, and he believed that attacking child molesters was a way to protect other inmates and children.
