Man gets 41-60 years for killing estranged wife, boyfriend

DETROIT (WJBK) - A man was sentenced to a minimum of 41 years in prison on Thursday for killing his estranged wife and her boyfriend New Year's Eve in Detroit.

Robert Watts was sentenced to a minimum of 41 years in prison and a maximum of 60 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearm for shooting his wife in the head and killing her new boyfriend, 35-year-old Tarence Smith.

"I know Robert knows what he did was wrong and I know he wished he could take it back," said Tarence's mother.

At Thursday's sentencing, says she heard from Watts family about what he did.

"They told me that they were praying for us, keeping us in our prayers and they apologize. That was OK," she said.

Prosecutors say on New Year's Eve, Watts went to his estranged wife's home and demanded to see his three kids. When he was told no, he shot Theresa in front of them, forced the kids into the bathroom and then killed Tarence. 

"Tarence was like an only child, only one me and his dad had," she said.

The three kids left the home after the shooting Dec. 31, 2017 and were discovered at a relatives home. Smith's mom said she also feels for them having to live without both their parents.

Robert was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded to the lesser charge as part of a deal.