In March of 2022, the quiet community of Lipscomb, just outside of Birmingham, was disturbed by the discovery of a body. On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call that led them to a location near 3rd Place South, where they found the remains of 56-year-old Christopher Duane Watkins. The male victim's death was quickly determined to be a homicide, launching an intensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Detectives with
the Sheriff's Office meticulously worked to piece together the final moments of Watkins's life. By retracing his last known movements, they were able to gather crucial evidence that pointed to a violent robbery. The investigation uncovered that Watkins had been robbed before he was killed, suggesting a motive for the brutal crime that had taken his life.
The evidence collected by the investigators proved to be pivotal in identifying those responsible for Christopher Duane Watkins's death. Their diligent work led to the identification of two suspects: 26-year-old Justin Lemar Harris and 29-year-old Cadarrion Jerrod Zinnerman. Following their identification, both Harris and Zinnerman were taken into custody by law enforcement.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office formally charged both Justin Lemar Harris and Cadarrion Jerrod Zinnerman with Capital Murder in connection with the death of Christopher Duane Watkins. After their arrests, both men were transported to the Jefferson County jail in Bessemer, where they were held without bond as they awaited legal proceedings for their alleged roles in the robbery and murder.
