A Vance County man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2019 murder of Brittany Pruitt.
Patrick Watson was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced on Nov. 23 in Vance County Superior Court, according to information from the office of District Attorney Michael Waters.
The jury trial began on Nov. 14 and concluded with Watson’s conviction on Nov. 22. He was sentenced the next day.
The defendant was represented by attorney Mitchell G. Styers, and the State of North Carolina was represented by Assistant District Attorney Brent W. Groce.
Pruitt was found shot on the morning of June 10,, 2019, at Watson’s residence on Stewart Farm Road. She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, according to the press statement from the district attorney. Following an investigation by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, primarily led by Sgt. Michael Hawley (now retired), and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, primarily led by Special Agent Michael Ludwig,
Watson was charged with first-degree murder on June 28, 2019.
During the jury trial, evidence was presented through multiple witnesses, including investigators, lay persons, and expert witnesses.
Pruitt was survived by her three children, her parents, and her siblings.
“Our office thanks the jury for its commitment to listen to all of the evidence presented during the trial which spanned seven days. We are also thankful that Brittany’s family had faith in our office to seek a just result. Although Mr. Watson has been brought to justice, this will not absolve the pain inflicted upon Brittany’s family,” Waters stated.
