Man charged with murder on cruise that left Texas says he snapped and choked woman, complaint says
A man seen on video being escorted off a cruise ship in Texas after a woman’s body was found in a cabin room allegedly told authorities that he repeatedly struck and choked her after they got into an argument, according to a criminal complaint.Jason Leon Watford, 48, was charged with murder in connection with the investigation involving the MSC Seascape, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of Texas.Jail records show he was in the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold Monday evening.He is set to appear in court for an initial hearing Tuesday afternoon.The victim has not been identified, and it’s unclear whether Watford has retained an attorney.
The Galveston medical examiner’s office said Monday that the deceased was a female and that an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.Jason Leon Watford is led by police Monday in Galveston, Texas.KPRCAuthorities believe the woman was killed Sunday night.She was found lying on the floor of the room and had “multiple facial injuries,” the complaint says.
Watford told the FBI in an interview that he and the woman got into an argument while eating dinner at a restaurant on the ship, according to the complaint.He alleged that they continued to argue after they returned to their room, causing him to “snap” and hit her multiple times, it says.
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