Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Kendall Thigpen-Watkins, 34, has been sentenced to life in prison for the attempted capital murder of his 8-year-old son.
On June 23, 2023, McKinney police received a 911 call from Thigpen-Watkins's wife, who reported that he had threatened to hang himself and their autistic son. At the time, the couple was undergoing a divorce, and Thigpen-Watkins was alone at home with their child. Responding officers arrived and attempted to communicate with him, but after several unsuccessful attempts to coax him outside, they decided to breach the front door due to concerns for the child's safety.
Upon entering the home, officers witnessed Thigpen-Watkins jumping from the second-floor bannister while holding his son. Both were found hanging from separate ropes tied around their necks. Officer Jason Ogburn immediately ran to the child, lifted him, and cut him down before he could sustain life-threatening injuries. Officers Joe Mendez, Aaron Seymour, and Zachary Hamilton assisted in cutting down Thigpen-Watkins. Thanks to their quick actions, the child suffered only rope burns and no internal injuries.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury found Thigpen-Watkins guilty of attempted capital murder. During the trial, witnesses testified that he had stalked his ex-wife throughout the divorce, frequently appearing unannounced, which escalated to an incident where he pulled a gun and fired a shot at a third party.
Judge Angela Tucker, presiding over the trial, sentenced Thigpen-Watkins to life in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law.
“Thanks to the swift and courageous actions of McKinney officers, this child’s life was saved from a tragic fate at the hands of the very person who should have protected him,” District Attorney Willis stated after the sentencing. “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.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott and Dewey Mitchell, with support from District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller.
