News - Local/State

Monday, Jul. 21, 2008

Bond denied for man accused in seven robberies

YORK — A judge denied bond Monday for the Rock Hill man police said confessed in February to robbing multiple stores and shooting four people.

Phillip Fleming Watts Jr., 20, will remain in jail until his trial, officials said as several of his victims looked on.

“We’re glad no bond was set,” former Fort Mill Mayor Charlie Powers said after court while a wheelchair bound Ida Neal Lord sat nearby. “This lady is mighty brave to be here today. We’re glad to see her out.”

Watts’ crime spree began in October 2007 and ended Feb. 14 after an attempted armed robbery at Cash on the Spot on South Cherry Road, where Lord was shot multiple times, police said.

“He’s sitting there filing out paperwork,” York County Solicitor Kevin Brackett said about Watts during the bond hearing. “Ms. Lord walks in. Mr. Watts comes up behind her and puts her in a headlock, shooting her once in the head.

“She fell down on the ground,” Brackett added as Lord, who wore a helmet on her head and cradled a pillow on her lap, sobbed. “He shot her once more in the back.”

Sweat residue and a single fingerprint linked Watts to that double shooting, Brackett said.

Days before the Valentine’s Day shooting, officials said, Watts on Feb. 5 robbed Fort Mill’s John Boy’s Valero.

“He walked up to the counter, fired the gun one time, missing,” Brackett said of the Feb. 5 incident. “He jumped over the counter, took control of the clerk, force her to hand over the money from the cash register and shot her in the stomach.”

During another armed robbery at Rock Hill’s Saltwater Seafood Market, Ping Chen also was shot, Brackett said.

“Ping Chen was working when Mr. Watts entered the store,” Brackett said. “He shot Ping Chen in the shoulder, walked back over to where she lay on the floor and pointed the gun to he head.”

The second bullet struck Chen in her hand as she tried to cover her face.

“Mr. Watts must never ever be in a position to do this again,” Brackett said. “These were all horrible crimes.”

Watts faces multiple charges including six counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, four counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, two counts of kidnapping and seven counts of possession of firearm during a crime.

For more, see Tuesday’s Herald.