Louisville teen sentenced for murder of 13-year-old boy in 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville teen accepted a plea deal Tuesday in connection with the murder of a 13-year-old boy in 2024.

Brad Watkins was 15 years old when he was charged last year -- along with another juvenile -- with taking part in the shooting death DaViawn Blackmon, who was shot in the head and left for dead in an alley near Broadway and 38th Street on June 26, 2024.

Watkins has been in custody with a $500,000 cash bond since his arrest last October on charges of complicity to murder, attempted murder, complicity to robbery, possession of a handgun by a minor and tampering with evidence.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday (Oct. 14), as part of a plea deal. He waived his right to a separate sentencing hearing, and was sentenced to 23 years. As part of the agreement, Watkins cannot file an appeal or a request for shock probation. He must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.

Blackmon's mother, Dawn Brown, spoke during Tuesday's sentencing hearing, saying that 23 years in prison is not enough time for the "execution" of her son, who was shot in the back of the head after he was lured to an alley. "Animals don't even get shot that way!"

"He (Watkins) don't deserve to live," Brown said. "That's the way I feel about it.... I don't sleep, I don't eat. I cry hourly. I'm no longer mentally well."

Watkins' co-defendant, 18-year-old Daniel Wallace, entered a guilty plea to criminal facilitation to robbery, possession of a handgun by a minor and tampering with physical evidence in July, according to court documents. A murder charge was dropped as part of that agreement. Wallace is awaiting sentencing.

Previous Coverage:

Family believes 13 and 12-year-old boys killed in Louisville within 24 hours were friends, targeted

2 teens charged as adults for murder of 13-year-old boy