A South Carolina mother and son, Samantha Watts and Payton Watts, have been sentenced for their involvement in a brutal murder. Both pleaded guilty to the murder of 29-year-old Corey Adam Soles in what prosecutors described as a “mob” attack.
The mother and son were both sentenced as part of a plea deal that concluded the case.
The Attack and Murder
The crime took place between January 8 and 9, 2023, when Corey Soles, who was in a wheelchair, was brutally attacked by the Watts family and others. Soles had suffered blunt force trauma to his head while in the wheelchair, and earlier, Payton Watts allegedly broke Soles’ leg during an assault with a blunt object.
After being left in the wheelchair, Soles continued to endure further attacks that led to his death.
Prosecutors described Samantha Watts as running a drug distribution operation and using her son Payton as muscle, often involving him in criminal activities from a young age.
Payton was just 16 at the time of the attack. The attack was believed to have been sparked by Soles’ involvement in selling surveillance equipment to Samantha Watts, with prosecutors suggesting she suspected Soles of stealing from her drug business.
Sentences for the Watts Family
Samantha Watts, 42, was sentenced to 45 years in prison, while her son Payton Watts, 18, was sentenced to 35 years. These sentences were handed down after both of them pleaded guilty to murder as part of a plea deal.
Prosecutors had recommended a sentence between 30 and 40 years for Payton, contingent on his mother pleading guilty without any plea agreement from the prosecution.
Other members of the Watts family were also involved in the crime and faced charges. Amber Watts, 23, Samantha’s daughter, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was sentenced to six years in prison, with release suspended and five years of probation.
Jonathan Watts, 21, also pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and was sentenced to time served.
The Role of the Drug Business
During the trial, prosecutors highlighted Samantha Watts’ control over her family, particularly her use of Payton as her enforcer. The investigation revealed that Samantha Watts had been involved in illegal drug activities and had started grooming her son Payton as early as age 12 by giving him drugs and using him to do her bidding.
The family’s criminal activities, including the mob attack on Soles, painted a chilling picture of abuse and control.
Soles’ Family and the Aftermath
Corey Adam Soles was a loving father, son, and hard worker from Chadbourn, North Carolina. He left behind a wife and three children. His tragic death has deeply impacted his family, and the conviction of his killers, while not bringing him back, has provided them with some sense of justice.
Judge Michael Nettles remarked on the pain Soles must have endured after suffering a broken leg and sitting for hours in that condition before succumbing to further attacks.
Justice for Corey Soles
Prosecutors expressed hope that the sentences would provide some comfort to Soles’ family, even as they acknowledged that no amount of justice could replace the loss of their loved one. The case also serves as a tragic reminder of how organized crime and abuse within families can lead to unimaginable violence.
