FORT LAUDERDALE — Fort Lauderdale Police have arrested 59-year-old Jim Roy Watkins Jr. and charged him with trying to pay someone to kill his brother.
The two brothers are mired in a court battle over their parents’ $20 million fortune. Watkins offered $20,000 upfront and another $60,000 to $80,000 when the murder was completed, police said.
Police have not released the name of the brother or said if the hit man was an undercover police officer or informant.
Police said the hit man received a package from Watkins in December containing a slip of paper with his brother’s address and photos of the intended victim, his home and his car.
The hit man turned the information over to police, who began an investigation. During the probe, several conversations between the two, in which they discussed specifics of the alleged murder-for-hire, were recorded, police said.
Based on the witness’ statement and the recorded conversations, a warrant was obtained and Watkins, a Fort Lauderdale resident, was taken into custody on Friday, Jan. 14.
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