The father of murdered Shanann Watts wept silently but uncontrollably as he watched his son-in-law face nine felony charges in court on Tuesday morning.
Frank Rzucek, 55, broke down in tears as Judge Marcelo Kopcow read out the charges against Christopher Watts, that include three counts of first degree murder, two of murdering children in his trust, one of terminating a pregnancy and three of tampering with bodies.
Rzucek’s son Frankie, 32, put his hand on his father’s back in support as the older man’s face leaned forward in his seat and cried.
At the end of the 18-minute hearing in Greeley, Colorado, Ruczek Senior stared down Christopher Watts as he was led from the court by prison officers.
Watts, 33, whose hands and legs were shackled did not lift his not lift his head to acknowledge his father-in-law as he shuffled out of the third-floor courtroom.
Watts answered, ‘Yes sir,’ several times in a barely audible voice as Judge Kopcow read the charges to him. He was not required to enter a plea.
He will next appear in court on November 19.
Watts is accused of murdering his 15-week pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, at their home in Frederick, Colorado last week.
Judge Kopcow told him that if found guilty of the murder charges he could face the death penalty and in any case will never see life outside of prison.