A Dallas woman, Tranisa Watts, 26, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of her child's grandmother. The Collin County District Attorney, Greg Willis, announced the conviction, which followed an incident at a Richardson Starbucks on April 18, 2022. According to police reports, Watts shot Kentoria Edwards, the victim, in the chest during an unscheduled visitation with her child.
The situation quickly escalated after Watts, defying a structured visitation schedule for the years following a CPS investigation into her childcare capabilities, demanded to see her child. Edwards, who had custody of the child since infancy, conceded to meet Watts at the public space along with another family member. Following a request to say goodbye to her child, witnessed by others in the coffee shop, Watts pulled out a weapon and fired at Edwards, attempting then to flee with her child before being detained.
According to the Collin County District Attorney, Willis expressed the deep impact of Watts' actions on the victim's family, "Ms. Edwards was a loving grandmother, mother, wife, and sister. She devoted her life to her family, especially her beloved granddaughter. Watts’ unthinkable act of shooting and murdering her – in front of Watts’ innocent three-year-old child – has shattered this family."
During the investigation, Richardson PD Detective Jules Farmer obtained a confession from Watts, who initially claimed self-defense, admitting that she felt the family was against her and prevented her from holding her child. Willis hoped that the sentencing would help to slightly provide solace, stating, as per the Collin County District Attorney, "We hope this sentence provides a measure of justice and allows the family the time and space they need to begin the healing process."
The duties of prosecuting the case fell to Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Calli Bailey, Lisa Braxton, and Ashley Briggs, with aid from District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White. Judge Jennifer Edgeworth imposed the prison term following Watts' guilty plea. As Watts begins her 60-year sentence, the case closes on this chapter of violent disruption that scarred a family and the local community of Richardson, Texas.
