A Morrisville man convicted of shooting another man during an argument will spend at least 17 1/2 years in state prison for attempted murder.
Kevin Donte Watts, 43, was convicted in May, following a three-day trial. In addition to attempted murder, the jury also found Watts guilty of two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license, weapons possession, receiving stolen property, and harassment.
Common Pleas Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. sent Watts to state prison, for a maximum of forty years, and also ordered a consecutive sentence of 10 years of probation at a hearing last week, according to Bucks County authorities.
The victim was present in court as the sentence was handed down, authorities said.
Considered “armed and dangerous” by Bucks County detectives and the Morrisville Borough Police, on the morning of October 11, 2025 Watts was a passenger in a vehicle parked at the Orchard View Apartments.
After an altercation with a rear-seat passenger, both men exited the vehicle, and Watts shot the victim in the chest with a .40-caliber pistol equipped with a green laser sight and loaded with hollow-point bullets, authorities said in court papers.
The firearm used in the shooting was determined to be stolen, investigators said.
Following the attack, Watts fled the scene, while the victim was transported to a hospital in Trenton, New Jersey, for treatment of serious injuries.
Watts was taken into custody at a Econo Lodge in Mount Laurel, New Jersey by U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force about a week later.
Following the verdict in May 2026, District Attorney Joe Khan said, “This verdict ensures that Mr. Watts is held fully accountable for a cold-blooded act of violence that nearly cost a man his life.”
Khan also commended the diligent, expert work of the Bucks County Detectives, the Morrisville Borough Police Department and Deputy DA Chad Kovack.
Their investigation, he said, “made this conviction possible.”
Morrisville Borough Police Chief Rich Ciampa said the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated throughout the investigation were instrumental in securing a conviction and ensuring accountability for a violent act within the community, while emphasizing continued pride in the partnership between local and county law enforcement agencies.