Watkins admits to killing mother in Sugar Notch home

Sep. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Admitting to killing his mother while experiencing hallucinations after ingesting a drug, Erik Michael Watkins tearfully apologized to his family in Luzerne County Court on Tuesday.

Watkins, 42, pled guilty to third-degree murder in the beating death of Patricia Watkins, 60, inside 301 Maffett St., Sugar Notch, on Dec. 13, 2020.

The plea agreement was presented by First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross who, along with assistant district attorneys Carl Frank and Gerry Scott prosecuted, and Watkins' attorney, Mark Bufalino.

President Judge Michael T. Vough accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Watkins to 15 to 40 years in state prison.

"I am sorry to my family, I'm extremely remorseful. No words can define how terrible I feel. I love my mother, I love my family, I'm so sorry," Watkins said.

Watkins' step-brother, Jeremy Brodbeck, said he continues to try to understand what happened inside the family home.

"This is unimaginable in every way. She loved everyone. My mom did not deserve to die," Brodbeck said.

Watkins was scheduled for a jury trial next week.

Watkins said he was suffering from a dependency on drugs and mental health issues and took what he believed was a Xanax on Dec. 12 or Dec. 13, 2020.

The pill he took caused him to hallucinate and voices in his head before he attacked Patricia Watkins and Brodbeck inside the home.

Brodbeck previously testified Patricia Watkins took Watkins to a methadone clinic on Dec. 12, 2020, and they planned on making homemade pasties for dinner the next day. After they shared a marijuana cigarette, Brodbeck previously testified their mother fell asleep on a couch.

Brodbeck said he was awakened by Watkins banging on walls, and finding him punching their mother in the head as she laid on a couch.

Brodbeck wrestled Watkins away as Brodbeck and Patricia Watkins barricaded themselves in a bathroom.

Pennsylvania State Police at Wilkes-Barre in court records say Brodbeck jumped out a window and ran for help as Watkins stomped on his mother.

Patricia Watkins was found deceased in a bathtub.

An autopsy revealed Patricia Watkins suffered multiple traumatic injuries to her body.

"I lost everything because of drugs," Watkins tearfully said. "I'm sincerely sorry and I accept full responsibility."