Michigan Jury Convicts Man In Killing Of Poker Player As Body Remains Missing

A Michigan jury convicted Lansing resident Willie James Jr. of second degree murder in the 2021 killing of Andrew Watson II, concluding a two week trial built largely on circumstantial evidence.

Good to Know

• Authorities never recovered a body linked to the case.
• Prosecutors said the two men planned to meet for a poker game before Watson vanished.
• Sentencing is scheduled for April 15.

Prosecutors argued that Watson left the home of his girlfriend on January 12, 2021 carrying between $10,000 and $15,000 in cash to attend a poker game with James. Watson, known among local players by the nickname “Moneybags,” was never seen again.

Investigators later examined the vehicle of James and found several suspicious details. Testimony described a missing section of carpet from the floorboard, a large amount of cash inside the vehicle, and blood identified as belonging to Watson. Evidence also included a mark on the front passenger door that investigators believed came from a bullet.

Police learned the car had been detailed twice within days after Watson was reported missing, yet traces of blood remained.

James was already serving prison time for assault and weapons convictions dating to 2013 and was on parole when the killing occurred. He had been scheduled for release in November 2030 but now faces the possibility of life imprisonment.

During the trial, James denied responsibility and claimed he had loaned the vehicle to his son. He testified that an associate of his son committed the killing and disposed of the body in a dumpster at a nearby apartment complex. He also blamed another man who is now deceased.

Ingham County Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino rejected that account and told jurors James was telling an “absurd, false story uncorroborated by any evidence.” He also told the jury: “Don’t be hustled by the hustler.”

Jurors ultimately sided with prosecutors and returned a guilty verdict.

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