Glasgow Says Killer Robert Watson 'Is Evil Incarnate'

JOLIET — Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow issued a press release reacting to Monday's sentence of 100 years of prison time for Robert Watson, 29, in the brutal 2019 killing of a 76-year-old Wisconsin man in the hotel of Harrah’s Casino in Joliet.

“Robert Watson is evil incarnate. He savagely stabbed Emanual Burgarino in a ruthless, barbaric attack and left the elderly gentleman to suffer and die in a hotel hallway. His premeditation and his attempts to hide the bloody evidence shows that he knew exactly what he was doing and the consequences of his actions,” Glasgow announced. “He received a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison but will be punished for all eternity for this heinous murder.”

Watson will receive 1,590 days credit for time served and his sentence will be served at 100 percent.

Glasgow commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Tom Slazyk and William Lite, Director of Victim Witness Services Nichole Pasteris, Technical Specialist Albert Bailey, Legal Secretary Danna Thayer, and Detective Brad McKeon, Detective Ray Jansma, and Officer Ryan Myers with the Joliet Police Department for their outstanding work in this matter.

On March 24, 2019, Watson fatally stabbed Emanual Burgarino in the fifth-floor hallway of the Harrah’s Casino hotel. Witness Glenn Hill testified that Watson had followed him into the elevator and exited with him on the fifth floor of the hotel. Because Hill had an uncomfortable feeling about Watson, he rode back down when Watson departed the elevator on the fifth floor. He then rode back up and, not seeing Watson, went to his room. A few minutes later, he heard a commotion in the hallway. When he opened his door, Hill saw Watson attacking Burgarino. After seeing Hill, Watson ran down the hallway and into the stairwell, exiting through a secure door on the first floor that tripped a casino alarm.

Burgarino had been ruthlessly stabbed 26 times and died from injuries sustained as a result of the multiple stab wounds. Burgarino had been carrying a large amount of cash, and evidence showed that he had been pepper sprayed before the violent attack.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Random Murder At Harrah's Casino Draws Maximum Prison Term