Harrah's Murder Defendant Says Jail Food Poisoned

JOLIET, IL — On Thursday morning, before the murder trial of Jeremy Boshears resumed, Will County Judge Dave Carlson handled his daily court call, and first-degree murder defendant Robert Watson made the most memorable impression, claiming his food is being poisoned.

Watson has been in the Will County Jail since March 25, 2019, and bail remains $5 million. In March 2019, Watson fatally stabbed Emanuel Burgarino of Wisconsin, 26 times after ambushing the guest of Joliet's Harrah's Casino during a Sunday night hotel hallway robbery, according to Will County's prosecutors.

On Thursday, Watson, now 28, appeared in Courtroom 405 with his Will County Public Defender, Shenonda Tisdale.

Watson told Judge Carlson he is trying to file an order of protection against Will County authorities, including the State's Attorney's Office. Someone keeps trying to poison the food he gets served in the Will County Jail, Watson repeatedly told the judge.

"Is there anything I can do about the food that has been served?" Watson asked.

"Why?" Carlson asked.

Watson wore a bright orange jail suit, which drew the judge's attention.

"I see you're in discipline," Carlson noted.

"I'm having a hard time trying to express my thoughts," Watson told him.

Watson told Carlson he's positive he is being poisoned.

"I know it has the smell of sex," Watson declared. "It's an unusual odor and smell."

"Of sex?" Carlson repeated.

"It's sex," Watson insisted. "It's a distinct odor."

"So, you think the jail is poisoning your food?" Carlson inquired. "And the evidence is the smell of sex?"

"I think they work for the city," Watson replied. "I don't know who to tell, the court or the jail. Often, my food tastes like sexual intercourse, sperm, hair, feces. There's sperm in my food."

Watson told the judge he is trying to file a restraining order and press criminal charges.

Upon hearing that, Carlson announced, "I think I'm going to have to appoint a special prosecutor on this, Mr. Watson, and talk to the Chief Judge (Dan Kennedy) to appoint a special prosecutor to make sure your food is not ... poisoned."

At that point, Carlson urged Watson to show restraint in his comments, because, "you may be interviewed by a special prosecutor or an investigator."

"I know they're lying," Watson told the judge. "They covered it up and make me like the bad person."

The judge told Watson the special prosecutor's investigation may result in one of a few different scenarios regarding Watson's claim of being poisoned.

And "it could be nothing at all," Carlson told him. "I don't want that to be an issue in your murder case."

Watson tried to ask the judge about the particulars of filing his order of protection.

"I can't give you legal advice," Carlson replied. "Mr. Watson, I will see you Monday morning at 9:30 a.m."

Meanwhile, prosecutors at the Will County State's Attorney's Office are trying to get a firm date set for Watson's murder trial; it's been three years and one month since his arrest.

Joliet Patch has written several articles about Watson and his efforts to be declared insane.

In August 2020, Carlson's courtroom had a rare mental competency trial for Watson, which is a civil, not a criminal proceeding. The Will County six-person civil jury agreed Watson is mentally fit to stand trial in the March 24, 2019, slaying of the 76-year-old Wisconsin man.

During the competency trial in 2020, the prosecution's expert witness argued Watson is faking a mental illness. The psychiatrist used by the Will County Public Defender's Office maintained Watson is delusional and has psychotic episodes that hamper his ability to work with his defense lawyers on his first-degree murder case.

At the time of the homicide inside the Harrah's Casino Hotel, Watson had been a transient who recently came to Joliet. He previously lived in Arizona, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Florida and Minnesota.

More Patch coverage: Demonic Voices Inside Joliet Murder Defendant's Head, Doctor Says

Is Harrah's Murder Defendant Faking Mental Illness?

Harrah's Casino Slaying: Wisconsin Victim's Family Sues