BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A jury reached a verdict in the case of a man accused in a deadly shooting in Bethlehem.
Marquis Michael Watkins was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder, robbery, and firearms offenses after a four-day trial, according to a news release from the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office.
The second-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, the DA’s office said. His sentencing date has not yet been set.
Bethlehem Police charged Watkins in December 2022 after the shooting. Jani Bostic died of the gunshot wounds four days after the shooting, according to the news release.
Bostic was shot after Watkins arranged a marijuana drug deal to take place at the 1200 block of Butztown Road in December 2022, the DA’s office said.
According to the DA’s office, Watkins left his nearby townhome and went to a vehicle where Bostic and another man were sitting in. Watkins took marijuana, then shot Bostic as she sat in the driver’s seat, the DA’s office said.
The man who was in the vehicle returned shots in Watkins’ directions after Bostic was shot, according to the news release.
When questioned by police, Watkins denied involvement in the shooting, according to the DA’s office. During an investigation, detectives uncovered evidence linking Watkins directly to the shooting, including the recovery of the gun used to kill Bostic in the townhome occupied by Watkins, the DA’s office said.