Suspect Claims Self-Defense In Killing Of TPD Investigator Dornell Cousette

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The defense attorney for a Tuscaloosa man accused of capital murder in the 2019 shooting death of Tuscaloosa Police Department investigator Dornell Cousette claims his client acted in self-defense.

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Tuscaloosa criminal defense attorney Jim Standridge, who is representing 23-year-old Luther Bernard Watkins, Jr., filed a motion on Friday requesting a pre-trial immunity hearing to allow Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Brad Almond to rule on the possibility of self-defense in the case.

As Patch previously reported in regards to self-defense cases, an immunity hearing typically occurs after an indictment by a grand jury and prior to a jury trial. During such hearings, the judge is presented all of the available evidence of the case and tasked with determining if the defense proves the defendant's actions fall under Alabama's "Stand Your Ground" law.

According to the initial deposition and charge sheet, Cousette on the night on Sept. 16, 2019 — just before 6:30 p.m. — went to a residence at 1709 33rd Avenue to serve an arrest warrant on Watkins for an outstanding robbery charge.

The deposition says Watkins ran into the house, followed by Cousette, who was shot by the Watkins just inside the door. Investigators then claimed that Cousette was able to return fire at Watkins, before Watkins fled the scene and Cousette was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center. He later died from his injuries.

Watkins reportedly fled the scene and was later located at DCH's hospital in Northport, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound.

Standridge, however, raised the possibility of a different set of circumstances surrounding the death of the beloved investigator.

In the motion for a pre-trial immunity hearing, Standridge claims Watkins and several associates were at the residence, with Watkins seated at a table outside — his back to traffic traveling south on 33rd Avenue.

The defense attorney then says, at some point, Cousette pulled up to Watkins's location in his police vehicle, followed by a bail bondsman in his private vehicle. Standridge alleges that as Cousette drove up to the residence, Watkins took several steps toward the front door of the residence and was quickly followed by Cousette.

"As Officer Cousette left his vehicle according to witnesses, he made the statement 'run and I’ll shoot,'" Standridge said. "As both [Watkins] and Officer Cousette entered the residence, Officer Cousette shot [Watkins] in the back, then in the chest with his duty weapon, knocking [Watkins] to the floor."

Standridge then said Watkins returned fire after being shot and fatally injured Cousette.

The defense attorney also claims Watkins was not armed at the time he was shot by Cousette, who was "not acting in his official duty as a police officer but rather was assisting a bail bondsman in serving the arrest writ on the Defendant."

What's more, Standridge argues that Cousette’s supervisor had just "explicitly denied him permission" to serve the arrest warrant — an order he claims Cousette ignored.

"[Watkins], who was in a place where he had a right to be, a residence, therefore maintains that he was acting in self-defense after having been shot twice by Officer Cousette and that he should be immune from prosecution based upon that fact," Standridge says.

Watkins remains behind bars and without bond in the Tuscaloosa County Jail and is currently facing the death penalty.

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