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A Washington County jury convicted Rex Dale Lewis, 343 Hickory Bluff Road, Johnson City, of the second-degree murder of James “Al” Watson on the evening of April 13, 2022. Watson was found deceased in the home of Lewis after Lewis called 911 that evening to report finding the body on the floor of his home.

However, it was later determined that Lewis had been coming and going from the crime scene for many hours before making the effort to contact emergency services. While speaking with emergency services, Lewis reportedly refused to provide aid to the victim.

On April 14, 2022, investigators with the Johnson City Police Department and Carter County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at a garage owned by Lewis in Elizabethton. During the search, officers found the murder weapon, hidden by Lewis in a vehicle on the premises.

Scott Shultz and Murphy Mullins, assistant district attorneys, served as prosecutors in a jury trial held Jan. 21-24, resulting in a guilty verdict on Jan. 25 for the charge of second-degree murder. Lewis pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence at the onset of the trial. These convictions carry 15 to 25 years at 100% for the murder of James “Al” Watson and three to six years at 30% for tampering with evidence.

Lewis’ case was reset for sentencing on March 7, 2025.