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Associated Press - October 9, 2009 10:24 PM ET
VIRGINIA, Ill. (AP) - A 74-year-old Cass County woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of her granddaughter's estranged husband has learned that because a gun was used, she faces an additional 25 years in prison if convicted.
During a brief court hearing Friday, Circuit Court Judge Bob Hardwick Jr. told Shirley Skinner of Ashland that she now faces a minimum of 45 years to natural life in prison if convicted of murder in the death of Steven P. Watkins of Chandlerville.
Skinner is accused of shooting the 32-year-old Watkins in the head last Nov. 25 when he went to her home to pick up his daughter for a court-ordered visitation.
Skinner was arrested Monday in Clearwater, Fla., on a Cass County warrant. She waived extradition and is being held on $5 million bond.
Information from: Jacksonville Journal-Courier, http://www.journal-courier.net
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