A 13-Year-Old Was Murdered In 1985. A Man Just Confessed To The Crime.

A West Virginia One man confessed to The execution of a murder Police say that a 13-year old boy was killed in 1985 after a dispute over a bicycle.

Jeremiah “Jerry” Watkins was just 13 years old when he disappeared in the fall 1985. He was found in a shallow hole close to some railroad tracks by The Dominion Post a few days later. reported. An autopsy revealed that Jerry had suffered from a brain injury, possibly from a blow in the head. However, he died from a stab wound on his back.

For 37 years police have wondered about the fate of this young teenager.

Police had a person-of-interest in 1985, and that was David Adams, then 18. Adams confessed to the crime at the time, Preston County Prosecutor James Shay stated, “a href=”https://wvmetronews.com/2023/02/14/westover-man-accused-in-1985-death-of-terra-alta-teenager/”>according to Metro News.

“He actually, according to the police report gave a confession back in 1985, he later recanted that confession and ultimately was concluded not to be a suspect back then,” Shay said.

Earlier this month, however, the Preston County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case and began reviewing case records. Investigators noticed inconsistencies in Adams’ statements at the time, so they decided to track him down and speak with him again.

“I was just taking another run at a case that been cold for many years just to see what he could come up with. So it was assigned to him and he did a lot of good work on it,” Shay said, referring to Preston County Sheriff’s Office Captain T.N. Tichnell is re-examining the case.

Adams, 56, told police that he had hit Watkins in his face in 1985. He then took Watkins to his shed and stabbed him. Adams stated that he and Watkins had argued about a stolen bike at Adams’ Terra Alta, West Virginia home at the time. Adams later admitted that he was guilty of the crime. “dragged Jeremiah’s body and placed it in the shallow hole,” According to the Post.

Adams was charged with second-degree Murder.

“These are the initial charges, they are subject to change,” Shay said. “Up to the point that this individual might be indicted by the grand jury.”

Sheriff Paul “Moe” Pritt wouldn’t provide additional details, the Post reported, but the outlet noted that more charges are anticipated as police continue investigating the crime.

Adams is currently held in North Central Regional Jail, on a $1million bond.

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