Chris Watts' Appeal | Mental Health Effects of Life Without Parole

[@SuperKaren1953]

It was cruel what that monster did to his wife and babies. No emapthy here. Only for Shanann's family.

[@kkheflin3]

Agreed. The only reason he didn't get the death penalty was because Shannan's parents are devoutly religious people who don't believe in the death penalty. They're the ones that asked the prosecutor to spare his life and keep him in prison instead. They're better people than I am.

[@luciarehermann7921]

@@kkheflin3 mmm I'd rather he suffered in prison, if he's killed it's over quick.

[@nursebev2249]

Him in prison pales in comparison to their fate I’d say.

[@robindelancy7097]

@@kkheflin3 Right!

[@analozada9475]

Same here, and I’m a highly empathetic person. He’s a cold blooded, heartless, conscienceless monster. He deserves more than a life sentence. He should be tortured for the rest of his miserable life.

[@joanmilano5302]

If anyone deserves to rot away in his cell, it's Chris Watts.

[@alexperkins8433]

AMEN.

[@terrimichaels3018]

Nailed his butt to the wall forever in lifelong incarceration. Coder and Tammy are heros.

[@lannarox123]

Definitely. Actually, he deserves way worse than that. He deserves to be tortured daily in jail.

[@lorokolaqa3522]

Yes

[@AshLoRo]

I could not agree MORE.

[@Ultradude604]

Life without possibility for parole is cruel and unusual punishment for what he did? Fine. He can have the lighter sentence of 1000 years incaceration with the possibility of parole after 250 years. That's better.

[@marlenelindsey7638]

Ultradude Like he could ever walk down the street, or live a normal life. He never could. How this woman’s parents were merciful and asked for no death penalty was incredibly generous or very shrewd. Good for them. I’m not for the death penalty either, but in this case I thought it would have been acceptable.

[@aft5264]

He’s in denial about the fact that he will never get out. It’s just a phase soon reality will hit and he will realize he’s never getting out. He’s ruined his life, so many people know about what he did. He would never be able to get a job again or even just pump his gas without someone finding out who he is.

[@aft5264]

Anarcho Frills Shannan, Belle, Cece, and Nico don’t get their lives back, why should Chris?

[@aft5264]

Anarcho Frills What do you suppose he does with his life if he were to be released? He’ll never get a job anywhere once employers see what his background is, no sane person will hire a guy who has 9 felonies involving murdering his entire family. A lot of people know who he is. His notoriety is off the charts that he would be recognized literally everywhere he went. He’s done. He’s gonna die alone in his little cell with no family or friends or nothing.

[@jessebartlett7316]

sorry but you loose any type of human rights when you murder, child abuse, child rape and anything like that. You can throw up any fancy labels you want in an effort to defend your weak position but the fact remains that if you take a life you loose yours either life in prison or loss of life period. Principles matter not if a drunk driver kills a loved one of yours. It isn't my fault that person made a bad choice they should have used their mind before getting behind the wheel. I am so glad your type of thinking isn't the norm since that isn't justice at all. Whenever you lower the bar of standards and expectations in human behavior disaster is the end result. That is all.

[@michele2855]

I’m sure there are long term effects being incarcerated for life. We all have to deal with the consequences of our actions

[@pamelafulks582]

Do a big boy crime do the big boy time.He will be lucky if he has a massive heart attack and gets out of prison that way!

[@crumby6x417]

@jonny blaze ??

[@ugojlachapelle]

In Canada, without parole or its equivalent, a term that would be longer than the usual length of life, is considered cruel and has been deemed unconstitutional.

[@TheTheValer]

Okay, but the rest of the world doesn't have to resort to doing it every few minutes. Maybe it should only be used on people who deserve it instead of having 5000% more LWP prisoners than the rest of the world combined.

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

@@TheTheValer it should definitely be lofted for anyone guilty of drug offenses

[@vickielewis579]

Honestly, I hope he really does hear that baby girl saying “daddy, no” when he closes his eyes. THAT should be enough to drive him crazy and mad. I can NOT imagine what that little girl was thinking as she watched her little sister die, be dropped into a well and probably knew her mommy was dead too. What he made that baby witness prior to her death is enough to make him deserve to live a LONG miserable life behind bars.

[@thebarky1988]

I can’t get past the fast he killed his wife and suffocated his children. It is hard for me to have any empathy for him and I am an empathic person.

[@joseemeunier2976]

thebarky1988 I completely agree. I’m a very empathetic person too and I find it really hard to be empathetic to a man who strangled his wife, loaded her onto the floor of his truck, loaded up his daughters onto the backseat of his truck (with their dead mother at their feet!), drove 45min to his work site, buried her, killed one his daughters, walked her up a tower, stuffed her poor little body down an oil tank, repeated this process with his second daughter and then shows up to work and carries on with life like nothing ever happened. Then, he has the gull to blame the daughter’s murders on the wife he just killed! Like wtf?? This was absolutely all thought out and I dont believe any of his lies for one second! He is right where he deserves to be! May those three girls and that unborn baby rest in peace and bless all the surviving family members.

[@thebarky1988]

I totally

[@Ac2091-x1f]

Kids are off limits

[@nifflofair6685]

To feel empathy do you not have to put yourself in the person place to a certain degree? No way only cold hearted could empathise...

[@mcpartridgeboy]

I think your a woman, you sound like a woman ! your not really empathetic at all your just pretending, i doupt your even capable of love judging from what youve said !

[@Sir_Godz]

I don't think there is anything cruel about life with no parole for someone who commits crime like this. The system is not causing him pain. He caused the pain from his actions. This was not an accident. It was willful and heartless and repeated. For a manslaughter charge it would be cruel to have no chance but not for this.

[@k.ambriz9789]

Orianna the death penalty is reportedly more expensive due to appeals, etc.

[@jimmydivicio838]

Life in prison is worst than death

[@aft5264]

Death is the easy way out. I’d rather him be haunted by his crimes for the rest of his life.

[@kkheflin3]

@@jimmydivicio838 One can only hope in Chris Watts case. I could care less if he suffers any mental health issues in prison. In fact I hope he does.

[@nicolagraham1678]

I totally agree. Throw away the key. This case was so shocking. I can hardly bear to hear about the wee children. Poor wee darlings.

[@NuitHadit]

There is no possibility for life for Nico, for CeCe, for Bella, for Shanann... Why would he get the possibility of parole? I am an empathic person, but I have no empathy for someone like Chris Watts. I have empathy for his victims. I think compassion for CW was in not putting him on death row. CW is a wolf in sheep's clothing, imho.

[@AngelinaATF]

Olesia I hear ya! He won’t get out - not ever. If there’s a grand jury indictment, if more people involved in these deaths, He STILL won’t get out. He is what the prisons call “slow death row” = meaning he’s going to die there, no qualms about it. Pls don’t worry about that. 👍

[@michaelkennedy5126]

they should have slapped a child abuse charge on him for naming his kid Nikko.

[@NuitHadit]

@@michaelkennedy5126 I heard that it was Shannan who gave that name... Questions were raised before, but it looks like cw did not purposefully name his unborn son that way...

[@Slarti]

@@NuitHadit as an Englishman can you help me understand what the association with the name Nikko is?

[@NuitHadit]

@@Slarti CW unborn son name sounds like his mistress name Nikki (nichole kessinger) Please forgive me if I make a spelling mistake in their names.

[@carolnichols2869]

No matter how you feel about it, the bottom line is that in order to protect society, he needs to forever not be allowed back into it.

[@artofvoice]

He murdered a pregnant woman and two kids. I can't fathom the NERVE to even ask for an appeal on the sentence.

[@Shybairnsgetnowt1]

I’m a former Prison Officer in the U.K. so have a little bit (21 years) of insight into prisoners mental health, and the effects of imprisonment. When they are first sentenced, many, particularly those convicted of the most serious offences, are in a state of denial and are adamant that they are innocent and their appeal against conviction will be successful. However this very rarely happens, though some do have their sentence reduced. (Rightly or wrongly) In the U.K. there are less than 100 prisoners who are serving what we call ‘whole life sentences.’ I’m not a great mathematician (!) But this is from an entire Prison population of around 85,000, so an incredibly small %, particularly when compared to the statistic quoted in this video that approximately 3% of American prisoners are serving life without parole. I’m almost certain that here in the U.K. all of those serving WLS have been convicted of murder, and the majority of multiple murders. There is a clear disparity between the U.K. and the U.S when it comes to ‘locking them up and throwing away the key.’ I would say that there are not enough criminals sentenced to WLS here, but that there are far too many LWP in America. I don’t know how many people are serving similar sentences around the world, but I would suggest that there are in fact many more than we realise, particularly given how barbaric and secretive some countries, ie China and Russia, are. As for a persons mental health while they are in prison, I believe that on the whole it doesn’t suffer any more than if they were not in prison. Naturally there are exceptions to this, particularly those who entered the system suffering with acute mental health issues. It is absolutely right that in a civilised, humane society prisoners have access to appropriate healthcare. Unfortunately here in the U.K. that care is VERY limited, although 25 - 30 years ago it was all but none existent. Many prisoners, particularly those serving long sentences, ultimately become accustomed to their environment; in effect they are institutionalised. I believe that this is the brains way of coping with their situation, and to that end I don’t believe LWP could be described as cruel, and as stated in the video it is not unusual in America. However I think the legal definition of unusual would be somewhat more expansive than mere statistics. As for Chris Watts, I absolutely cannot begin to imagine how I could possibly have any empathy for him. I don’t know a great deal about him other than what he CLEARLY did to his family, and there is no doubt in my mind that, for him, life really should mean life.

[@neillp3827]

They even have a multiple sex murderer in a d cat open prison or even possibly released now. Colin Pitchfork the first person convicted in the world by d.n.a

[@emizerri]

Thanks Paul. This was a good read.

[@lostmangos]

Dont you think he should get the death penalty?

[@danp1471]

@Linda Evans 69 people enjoyed what he had to say. Comment sections are for people to express their views. I don't know if you realize this, but you don't have to read or even interact with them. Shocking I know, but you can simply scroll right pass it.

[@danp1471]

@@rosa4892 when I see someone putting down someone for no real reason I speak up. I don't mind reading peoples comments or conversing with them. So I'm good.

[@sweetbamabelle]

He pleaded guilty. He murdered four people; his wife, two daughters, and unborn son. He is lucky to have life without parole.

[@suzyq5295]

That is what Shanann's family asked for. They didn't want him on death row they felt that would be too easy on him, they wanted him to suffer for the rest of his life.

[@kkheflin3]

He needs to thank his in-laws. They're the ones who begged the prosecution not to give him the death penalty because of their devout religious beliefs. If I were them he never would have made it to trial. They are much better people than I am I guess.

[@thebarky1988]

You are very objective. I appreciate that. Some cases are too difficult for me to listen to. Especially those involving children

[@timmyotoole6063]

Weak

[@caolet518]

So a try s aussl last

[@emilyincasper4434]

As a rule I never watch stories or get involved if it’s kids, but I was so obsessed with this case. It consumed my life for two years.

[@natashaponda4902]

“We can lack anger, but still want justice” 👏👏

[@CharlotEYUT]

Thanks Dr Grande, very educational video. Keeping our humanity is important even towards those who have forgotten theirs.

[@leedunn1188]

Chris Watts still has the opportunity to live a meaningful life in prison. As Dr Grande points out, his family do not. I believe his sentence is fair and appropriate.

[@brittaolson6550]

Lee Dunn Agreed

[@gabriellew.2070]

Agreed. It's more than fair.

[@coke378]

Meaningful 😭🤧 niqqa WHAT

[@TravelinRosy2025]

Death penalty

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@TravelinRosy2025 why are you obsessed with the death penalty? That is ridiculous

[@marywilson4938]

I imagine him waiting up for Shannon but not getting the door pretending he's asleep. Waiting for her to collapse from her long day and fall asleep. Then pouncing like a monster to do his deed, and carrying out the same with the girls. Running around the house, grabbing his lunch, packing up the truck, all quietly to not attract attention from the neighbors, and driving off to the oil tanks. I don't think of him sitting in his cell

[@wendyknoxleet]

Mary Wilson so well said. Respect

[@monicabeatriz2446]

Mary Wilson that’s exactly what happened

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@monicabeatriz2446 you don't know that is what happened so I don't understand you saying "that is exactly what happened"

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@TerraVistaGlobal I do agree with what you said & I would like to thank you for being respectful with your response back to me. People can be vicious in these comments on this case. God bless. 🙏😊

[@7Mushrooms7]

@Ch2149 Yes, I've watched on another channel that if Chris Watts had gotten death penalty, it'd still be the same as life without parole because the governors don't sign the death warrants in Colorado like you said.

[@kathrinjohnson2582]

Holy crap those numbers for nonviolent crimes are horrifying! That's so sad

[@brittaolson6550]

Kathrin Johnson Yes, they should be locking up the true predators, not people who commit subsistence crimes.

[@MateDrinker33]

Any money that this is the byproduct of CA's "three strikes" law.

[@rogerhinman5427]

I'm certain the for-profit prison system has something to do with this as well.

[@alo935]

Holy God

[@AlexaLikes]

Rapists and pedos are treated more nicely by the system.

[@ruthannemackinnon588]

I'm a nurse practitioner & when working in a family practice I would see inmates from the local jail. Often inmates were brought in complaining of depression & my response was something like "yes, being in jail is depressing"

[@deemetzger5779]

So did you treat them or appoint yourself part of the justice system and punish more? I used to work at a county hospital in OB/GYN and took care of incarcerated mothers after birth and I knew for certain my job was to care and nurse them not judge them.

[@AMM3.]

One of the hardest times of my life was when I was incarcerated for 2 years.. then leaving prison was awful too.. I wanted to go back for at least a week, other inmates and even guards become your friends and family, you become used to the high stress, very routine schedule... but when I compare the fact I did 2 years for a non violent drug crime.. I was basically incarcerated because I was drug addicted.. it doesn't see fair when I compare my crime and time served vs violent crime and getting parole a few years later.. it's so out of context..

[@lm7092]

You’re correct. Locking up addicts and the mentally ill is barbaric. Good luck.

[@margaretr5701]

I hope things have turned around for you.

[@RisaPlays]

It's not fair. Non-violent drug users need help from medical professionals, not incarceration. I'm sorry you were given the wrong treatment for addiction. I hope you're getting better after all that.

[@Jl-ou4jt]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I hope you are doing great today.

[@vicchavez6570]

@@RisaPlays people that don't know addiction believe it's a choice,

[@miranda8423]

Appeal? Has he forgotten the crime he committed?

[@cupcake1406]

I think he should appeal and get the death penalty😈

[@emmaphilo4049]

I wouldn't be surprised because in addition to being horrible this guy is dumb as f...

[@noeldee9236]

Scott Peterson is also appealing it and we all know he did it

[@paulryan2128]

Probably.

[@TracyL-66]

Noel Dee Scott is only appealing cuz he can, not cuz he has a chance in hell, just the system! Court TV mentioned it about Scott like two wks ago! Now Watts case I am not sure what he is entitled to at this time! Both BABY KILLERS, WIFE KILLERS! BOTH CHEATERS, BOTH LIARS, oh an both not that attractive! Peace Happy Thursday

[@marys3127]

I don't have much empathy for criminals who torture and kill their victims - I tend to focus on what the person who was murdered had to endure. And while many of these criminals have had awful childhoods, so did my mother. She grew up with a mentally and physically abusive alcoholic father and she went on to have five children. She vowed that the abuse would end with her and it did. She was a wonderful mom and everything stopped because she made a decision to be a good human being. These criminals could have made that same decision. Now if they're mentally ill, that's a different story and they need to get mental health treatment at a specialized facility and not be sitting in a prison... but they still need to be kept away from society.

[@Ac2091-x1f]

I grew up the same way,I will never lay a hand on my kids. I don’t get how people continue the cycle knowing how it is.

[@MrBoothyboy1988]

No woman is good

[@octoberskye1049]

This *is* a difficult subject. And you're correct about Chris Watts. People doing Life without Parole for non-violent crimes?! According to the "3 strikes... law?" THAT is cruel. Yes, the concept and reality of this is cruel for all but those who constitute an actual danger to society, which individuals like Chris Watts do. And you're right: the US is *very* enthusiastic when it comes to imprisonment. 🐯

[@KB4QAA]

The US has a lot of very enthusiastic criminals!

[@lm7092]

Felonies are a surprisingly broad category, and our legal system has become deeply flawed. Prosecutors have too much power. They bury the arrested person with charges that they don’t have to back up in order to get a plea deal. If you don’t have $$$ you are trapped. And then there’s all kinds of bias, which I am going to assume you are aware of. Wealth, race, status all matter.

[@chilllive7267]

@@KB4QAA the us also makes money by locking people I cages. Fucked up country

[@dinkysinky7714]

It’s a terrible thing to imagine someone spending the rest of their life in prison, but it’s hard to feel bad for someone who committed a crime as horrific as this. There are consequences for every action you take in life. Murdering your family is one of the most horrific and gruesome crimes that one can commit. I think the consequences fit the crime perfectly.

[@taracat7723]

What he did to his wife was based on his anger towards her..what he did to his children is beyond belief.

[@wilmastart9270]

His anger towards his wife and his her total dominance of him is played out for years. Seeing the videos and a camera in her hand explains a lot. That in itself was way beyond normal behaviour. He was a gofer and she had little respect for him until it was too late. The worst fact about the case if the two little girls. It was the worst of the worst. And he saw his unborn son afterwards.?Rhe debt the presssiure,

[@K2scuba]

Your videos are fascinating; i look forward to each one. Thank you!

[@sophalanier9329]

I agree, not spending a lot time feeling empathetic. Thank you Dr. Grande. Life without parole is just for Chris Watts. Let him remember what he did to his family the rest of his life.

[@DrGrande]

you are quite welcome

[@Miss_Attitude_70]

He wont even get an appeal. He admitted killing 1 adult, 2 children & an unborn fetus. He deserves to stay there he was lucky Shannans family asked to drop the Death Penalty. Saying that, for those incarcerated for lesser crimes need to be treated like human beings. If you treat someone like an animal then release them they will behave like an animal. The punishment is loss of freedom. Institutionalisation occurs within 3 weeks. We need to focus more on rehabilitation.

[@TravelinRosy2025]

They 2nice ..he needs death penalty

[@TravelinRosy2025]

He needs to be thrown in the oil tanks alive

[@jjjqqq1959]

PLAN B, Niki T!

[@nise5281]

Comparing him to an animal is just an insult to animals.

[@momentumstocks3493]

Agreed. Appeal what? In this case 100% LWOP is the only option. But why did he fight the death pen? Surely for him that was a better option?

[@janiehlagy752]

Another wonderful video. This case almost consumed me from the beginning. It's so hard to wrap one's head around what he did, how quickly he seemed to go from normal to monster. It had me wondering if it could happen to me or someone I love. I'll never forget his sweet family and the horror he inflicted on them. I found that the only way to get this out of my mind was to stop my own hate towards him. May Shanann's parents find their own peace.

[@sunnygirl9691]

This is so disturbing. This man has spent his time fighting to get out, and he will never sink into the realization of what he did. All his choices ended when he made that one - you know the one. Empathy is off the table.

[@brodie-tzu4753]

Accept the consequences of your actions, Chris.

[@kellie5476]

I got a lot from this, especially when you talked about anger and empathy and different ways of wanting justice. Thanks.

[@ellencasey5580]

Mr. Watts had a house you could only dream of a Gorgeous Wife with two Beautiful Young Girls and a son on the way He deserves the worst he thought he fooled the FBI .ha ha ha let Him rot.

[@hectorrodriguez7002]

Even the house was a farce because obviously he was having difficulty making the mortgage payments.

[@RedRaiderLobo20]

That house really wasn’t all that nice. Location, location, location.

[@bailey7792]

@@RedRaiderLobo20 Um that's half the reason why the house was so nice. Because it WAS in a good location. Next to everything they frequented along with the girls school. What are you even talking about?

[@RedRaiderLobo20]

@@bailey7792 small lots, next to the interstate, a good distance from the mountains Colorado is famous for, nosy neighbors (okay, I’m kidding with this one).

[@raqui174]

Everything looked good from the outside.. it was a world of a difference inside

[@angiepa58]

Oh this was a very good topic Dr G, great insight thank you for that!

[@1Riquena]

Something went so very wrong in his mind...he still doesn’t look or act touched by what he has done and the everlasting effect to others or himself....it’s mind boggling!

[@neige4221]

Something is wrong with him, it’s called being a psychopath.

[@almakehlerbrown3935]

This was a great, highly enlightening video! Ty Dr Grande.

[@marymary20]

Thank you for this dispassionate, intelligent analysis. As an empathetic person, I feel sorry for Chris Watts in that he didn’t have a chance to be anything but a narcissist given his relationship with his mother growing up and even into adulthood. Not sure about the sociopathy. But my compassion for him doesn’t override my compassion for the family he murdered or the family members who’s lives were devastated by the loss and who will have to live with that forever. Yes, we in this country love to use the justice system to extract revenge and punish, but in cases like this, I agree...what other choice do we have? Killing your own children...while I don’t support the death penalty, this case screams for it. Life without parole is the next best thing. But you are right...the absence of hope is a cruel, hard pill to swallow.

[@annabrahamson4320]

He earned it. Maybe he will regret what he has done, time to think and repent or he can just waste away in 😠

[@Slarti]

There is a reason for the song "Never smile at a Crocodile". I am someone who is fairly empathetic however I met enough sociopaths and narcissists in my life to know that these people are crocodiles and should never be smiled upon.

[@francoise4841]

Dear Doctor Grande . Thank you. Your videos are very interesting.

[@daisymaefrench4041]

When the person you murdered walks out of the grave, that's when you walk out of prison. The horror they inflict on families is overwhelming. Just like his kids rotted in oil, he can rot in prison.

[@lilymcallister9751]

I can't even wrap my brain around this. I appreciate you tackling this in an objective manner. Wow.

[@peggygreeby5065]

I wonder if you could ask his late wife, and beautiful children if they could choose death, or life without parole, what their choice would be? But we can't since watts never gave them a choice. Also they can't appeal their death sentence. He took their rights, and choices from them. Does he think his sad little life is worth more than the precious lives of his family? He confessed, he killed them, there were no extenuating circumstances, so why does he believe that he shouldn't spend the rest of his worthless life in prison? He still has no concept of what he's done, and I don't think he ever will.

[@Biden666]

Those little girls, killed one by one and dumped into those big drums. The last thing cece said : “no daddy” My heart breaks - for all involved

[@bluewolfsims6881]

bella said that not cecw

[@alexandroslysais1798]

He got what he deserved.

[@MaryTheresa1986]

Chris Watson's permanent unhappiness makes me smile. He can rot for all I care.

[@cindythomas6816]

Thank you for all the excellent videos. I very much enjoy listening to you, and I have learned a lot. I find you unbiased and well learned in your specialty, which is rare.

[@BlackLabelSlushie]

Really digging these videos on Chris Watts - very interesting!!

[@Geshtafshnifka]

He should ‘suffer’,suffer is not what he’s doing ,suffer is what he did to his family. This SOB should’ve been given harder sentencing.

[@heathersaylor3379]

He was given the hardest sentence they could give him.

[@Geshtafshnifka]

No he wasn’t

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@Geshtafshnifka how so? Death penalty is just the easy way out. He definitely got the right sentence.

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@Geshtafshnifka trust me, he will suffer in that concrete home of his. Imagine sitting it a box, alone, for 23 hours a day & the 1 hour he gets out, the other inmates are made to go in their cells. He will lose his shit eventually & I say he won't make it. He will take himself out sooner or later just my opinion of course

[@heathersaylor3379]

@@Geshtafshnifka mental warfare. Just imagine it

[@lesleyallinson8738]

No empathy had killed his pregnant wife and two daughters in cold blood,, and then tried to cover it up. He did it because he wanted to be with his mistress

[@virginiamontes1868]

My gosh, what he did to his own family is incomprehensible. Was he on some high power drugs?

[@explorer0213]

No he was born this way he's a psychopath!!!

[@nadineF]

I see that often a person continues to be condemned by society even after they serve their time in prison. In a way some are convicted for life, even if they get out of prison.

[@helenachase78]

I worked in a prison for decades and marvelled at how well the inmates get on in prison. They have all their needs met and no real responsibilities. Routine and are with their peers... I imagine their are elderly people alone that suffer much more. Watch The Lonely Death. A problem in modern day Japan ....

[@Estelle-Maureen]

Dr. Todd, Chris literally said that he misses Shannan's cooking when he was being interviewed by law enforcement in prison. What does this suggest to you about his state of mind?

[@karagraham9764]

Estelle A To me it says he cared about what she did for him, not who she was as a person.

[@joanbaczek2575]

Estelle A that he only cares about what shannan can do for him rather than care about her

[@stormchaser7280]

I hear what he benefited from her....evil man.

[@TracyL-66]

joan baczek that’s narcissistic behavior right

[@kkheflin3]

Unfortunately the word "evil" is not in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. At least not in the current edition right now. Because if it was Chris Watts would be the textbook case. Malignant narcissism. His case has haunted me more than one I can remember in 65 years of life.

[@Vastiesther17]

It would be great that your videos were subtiled as my first language is spanish and sometimes I just can't keep up. Still watch your videos, there is so much usefull info. Great job! Thank you Dr. Grande.

[@waitandhope]

Gracias

[@annlvselvis972]

I'm astounded that so many receive that sentence in America. In England a life sentence normally means 15 years unless you commit a really heinous crime which might warrant the judge to give something like 30 years minimum. I admire your pragmatism and lack of anger in relation to CW and normally I could temper justice with compassion but I have no empathy for him only hatred.

[@annlvselvis972]

@@CariadCelt Thanks for letting me know, I have just read your link and I see there are a few. I knew there could be long life sentences but did not know some people were not eligible for parole. I thought people like Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper were held under the mental health act 2005, I did not realise he had a whole life order.

[@kathrinjohnson2582]

The mega companies that own the prisons have a hand in keeping the cout systems very badly run. And our joke of a government just keeps falling for it and giving them shit tons of money year after year! And all those lives ruined just so rich ppl can pass money back and forth. So sad. At least in this case though they manage to put a real bad guy away not just another nonviolent paper crime.

[@stormchaser7280]

Same in Australia, its rediculas some of our soft sentences. Murder does not equal life in Oz.

[@mrasmussen90]

A “life” sentence in the US is 25+ years. Life without parole is different. So you can get out if you’re sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

[@neillp3827]

You get mega sentencing for importing say a kilo of cocaine. But say a standard standard spousal murder or bar room brawl gone too far youd prob get 15-20. But you will only get the minimum if u admit your crime in full and jump through all the hoops the prison and probation service give you.

[@BrendaEaster-c8k]

Dr. Grande's meticulous, informative and thought provoking look at the Chris Watt's case is awe inspiring!

[@savvypetti]

Dr Grande, I am grateful to have found your measured, fair and “bigger picture “ type analysis of many cases that I’ve wondered about. Would you please please try to give us some insight about how and why Chris Watts chose to put what he called “those kids” in the cruel situation of watching him bag their mother’s head, put her beneath their feet in the truck, drive them 45 minutes to their deaths and then incomprehensibly dispose of them in separate oil tanks? It’s one of the worst crimes I’ve ever heard of and I’m having a difficult time putting it aside because I cannot understand how a fellow human could possibly do that to his own family. I hope that you will please give us your thoughts on the unusually cruel decisions that CW made. I appreciate your other videos on the CW topics and they’ve helped me to understand certain aspects but I feel that the most disturbing part of his crimes hasn’t been explained. Thank you for helping us to understand such deviance in people.

[@natalietadros980]

I admire how many ideas you have for discussion points and videos!! Thank u for all your work

[@ShazGreenock]

I love your videos and this one really resonated with me, it helped me expand on some thoughts and curiosities I was vacalating between. Like you I don't support the death penalty and thankfully live in a country that has abolished it. Having said that I don't judge people who do support it. Thank you for all your time you share with us.

[@doreenmaclean4953]

Great video Dr Grande👍🏼. I often have wondered about, what you discussed. You make things, so easy to understand. Good job.

[@Mjj633]

You rock, Dr G 💋

[@roberttelford745]

3200 life sentences without parole for non-violent crimes? What non-violent crime could possibly deserve that?

[@roberttelford745]

@@nowirehangers2815 taking or dealing?

[@toasted_.coconut]

Great video as usual Dr. I always learn something from you. I'm a "true crime" but this Watts case was by far the most disturbing for me. Your videos have helped me work thru those feelings and thoughts.

[@libbyobrien3474]

this case makes it difficult to trust, I mean they were married happily for years and you could see how much he loved his daughters and then bam; he kills them all. who can we trust nowadays? idk

[@isthisjustfantasy7557]

How much he *pretended to love his daughters. The act is all part of their game. Nobody who feels genuine love for their child does what he did to them. Those who DO feel genuine love for their children would rather kill *themselves* than ever hurt their baby.

[@vincentcottman9590]

That's just it he didn't love his daughters it was a mask

[@susanholland6151]

Money would meant more then blood family ins.

[@kristinaterrettglover919]

What he did to his family is crule amd unusual i feel sorry for them but not him and i dont see how anyone can......

[@4integrity]

I have by myself physically and mentally worked incredibly hard raising my children and earning a living. One paycheck away from being homeless in the streets with no bed or food. I have committed no crimes. This man will be warm while I and my children may be cold and hungry. Justice?

[@kimberleerivera3334]

Thank you Dr. Grande!

[@Catssandra13]

I have absolutely no empathy for a murderer, and more so for one who took the lives of his children and wife. And I also believe that the punishment should fit the crime, which would be execution. So with life without parole he will live the rest of his life (at taxpayer's expense) in prison, and I for one hope he suffers every single minute. You reap what you sow...sometimes.

[@g99se9]

Imagine waking up every day in a concrete box with locked steel doors. Eating the same shitty food, seeing the same dirty weirdos who would hurt or kill you for a cigarette before breakfast. Imagine showering with these other people, or sitting around with them. Now imagine every time you wish you were somewhere else, or wanted to just take a walk outside in the sunshine, or have a moment of peace, you remember the faces of the people you murdered. People who you bathed, dressed, read to, made food for, and snuggled. Chris Watts is where he should be, and enduring the endless monotony of stress and despair he should be. Death is an inevitability, but time will take bits of his soul and grind them to oblivion. Life without parole is the perfect option for a person like this. He can enjoy all of his narcissistic thoughts alone in his little box. Perfect.

[@thePassionatePK]

@@g99se9 I worked in a maximum security prison housing 1200 violent criminals for 4 years. Prisons are a JOKE in the US. Its a HOTEL. Work in a prison and you will become sick to your stomach. Theres no suffering on their end anymore, not like in days gone by.

[@executive9893]

@@thePassionatePK Is even worse in Europe. In Norway mass shooter killed dozens of people, now he has Xbox in his cell.

[@veronicastromain8181]

Wtf??? He deserves everything he gave, which was death. Good grief

[@Razorman23]

No that would be too quick.He needs to think of what he threw away every day.

[@nursekrmn]

Unfortunately there are ppl who have been wrongly convicted to life without parole and should be granted an appeal, but not in the case of CW. He deserves to die in prison and suffer immensely for the horrific crimes he committed.

[@joanneclarke952]

And ruthlessly taunted every day he’s in there...🤷‍♀️

[@rozacielo7792]

Thinking of how little 4 yr old Bella watched her dead mother being dragged down the stairs , saw how her mother had soiled herself and was on backseat car floor , watched her father bury her mom , suffocate her sister and climb the side ladder of the oil tank with her sisters dead little to dump her at the top .... Bella suffered great emotional distress , and then to have her father suffocate her as well and do the same to her ..... it is horrifying to think she witnessed & suffered all that ... my heart goes out for the 4 of them ... CW should stay in prison to the end of his days ...

[@jeannielson7356]

Well said.

[@sarabeescutflowersmore795]

My ex, my daughter's father is doing life without parole. It had a severe mental impact on his mother (my daughter's grandmother). She never came to terms he will never come home. When she did... She ended her life at 73 years old one day before my daughter's 19th bday. He left in 2004. I wasn't with him at the time. Only from 1991-1994. Our daughter was born in 93. Anyways-- Ive seen him 3 or 4 times. He's only one hour away. My daughter has never seen him since. She was 12 at the time now is 26. I feel like it's a huge bad dream and I can go back to it with a visit. As time goes on-- I feel less empathetic towards him. Idk how much it's truly effected him-- he always did well in a structured atmosphere. He has no clue how many lives he changed out here. From his mom, to my daughter (diagnosed BPD) and the rollercoaster Ive been through with her due to him, his crime... and especially the true victim... the person who's life he took. Then there's the victim's family. He changed so many lives and we're left hanging picking up pieces. Im almost getting mad typing this. ☹

[@scarlett-belle1448]

Profound work, Doc, ....x Brilliant.

[@stevensheppard7251]

I’m sorry to say, but I don’t feel sorry for Chris whatsoever 😛 I do feel sorry for the girls and Shannon 😢

[@SudaNIm103]

❝A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals.❞ Dostoyevsky

[@darkviolet69]

You are an excellent Teacher.

[@yourenough3]

Good video!

[@marilynhodgkinson5299]

New subscriber from Australia. Thank you for all this information. I think life without parole is very fitting sentence specially for the crime that Chris Watts did. His beautiful wife baby and 2 beautiful little girls are gone forever. Good on US for having life without parole.

[@stormchaser7280]

Marilyn Hodgkinson fellow Australian, agree US has it right for such monsters.

[@Jenny-nz8fb]

Agreed, well done from Scotland- the US has it right on this one.

[@jankasza5538]

Love your video's. Thank You so much!

[@victoriamd9078]

I agree. Very interesting debate.

[@melissawaggoner7509]

This video is exactly how I feel. How I don’t have anger towards people like Chris watts but I do think things need to be done for practical reasons and also we need to have empathy. I believe we are all equal and no one is better than another person. I had people saying I am defending the murderers by saying we aren’t better than them but I’m not, I am just feeling exactly what you explained in this video. Thank you for this. This video helped me better understand what I was thinking and feeling and your wording is awesome.

[@katrinasells]

I really liked this video. I actually paused it quite a bit to discuss it with my husband.

[@valerieparker2242]

You must have an awesome husband.

[@rsoverload9271]

I think it’s really cool that you share your thoughts on topics. (:

[@trixielou4223]

I am from the UK. What I can't wrap my mind around is that Children in the USA are sentenced to life without parole... They aren't fully developed yet... How on earth is this not cruel and unusual punishment?

[@marys3127]

I don't have much empathy for criminals, however I do agree with you on this point. It saddens me to see kids as young as 12 or 13 years old tried as adults. There is no way that a kid or a teenager has any type of wisdom or maturity compared with an adult and they should be treated as a child instead of an adult.

[@trixielou4223]

First, let me quote Nelson Mandela.. "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children". If a child of 10 (as in the Bulger case), is branded by society as hopeless and discarded to a life of suffering... What does that say about us? What about Mary Bell and the other boy in the Bulger case who went on to lead non criminal lives? Who are we to judge the potential of children before they have even developed to maturity?

[@Mikinaak2023]

Have you ever seen the savagery of some of these crimes these little ones do? Yes it's sad that they are young but a rabid dog is a rabid dog.

[@sabrinaa1235]

I’m concerned for those non violent offenders serving life without parole. On the other hand, I don’t have a shred of empathy for Chris Watts. He is where he should be, and where he should stay forever.

[@rodaguirre3418]

Brave and brilliant incursion into this most difficult case!

[@deniseperalta-smith3948]

His family was given a death sentence (which CW gave them) and he’s still breathing. Do I really care if he’s suffering (because of his own selfish needs and wants)? No I don’t feel sorry for him at all. He caused his suffering. Unfortunately, his “suffering” is only because he wants to get out and not because he feels bad about murdering his entire family.

[@amyoo2662]

So glad we have laws and aren't ruled by feelings. I've heard he's getting fan mail. How crazy is that?!

[@adamburdt8794]

Yeah, women who want to sleep with him. Rather sick. I dated a girl whose mom and Aunt found husbands online through a website. They specifically sought out, not just criminals, but requested VIOLENT criminals

[@dwho432]

@@adamburdt8794 sick cause she is the next victim.

[@wronqueen9908]

I feel empathy to him,I feel sorry for him. He did stupid thing ,now paying for it, but still I feel sorry for him. He was lost.

[@leahhart3585]

There are some real sick people out there.

[@gc8024]

@@wronqueen9908 Cw wasn't lost. Maybe in nk pants he was lost. Or lost w/o mommie.

[@stevokennedy2383]

Death penalty is perfect for Mr watts! There has to be consequences for these behaviors

[@kylebaker5982]

He's sick, he really thinks he should be able to get out after killing his wife losing her up with kids feet on her body and drive 45 MINUTES all that time to change his mind and think about it but still follows it through 1 by 1 right in front of eachother and to separate them even in death and go act like nothing happened, hours after doing it. THAT, is the definition of a monster

[@charles7368]

Very good analysis, excellent blend of fact and humanity

[@PanteraChick]

I am completely incapable of having empathy for a guy who murdered his family.

[@AngelinaATF]

Another great video, Grande. Do you sleep? 😴 LoL 😂 THANK YOU for the information!

[@deekayvixen]

CW didn’t last very long... I guess one can read the bible so many times 😑 Scott Reisch is a Colorado criminal defense attorney and has done a good job covering this case on his KZbin channel. Excellent video as always, Dr Grande!

[@carolb8812]

The fact that he suffocated his children twice!! its just disgusting!! He had the chance to not kill those babies but he went ahead and asphyxiated them again.

[@karennorris7880]

I really appreciate your insights into the mental health consequences of life without parole. I do think people appeal because even a slim hope is better than no hope, at least until they accept their fate. I am against the death penalty because there have been many cases of wrongful convictions that have been overturned with DNA evidence. I am also against solitary confinement (at least excessive, unrelenting solitary confinement). There's no question in my mind that is cruel. I agree, we need justice for the victims. Chris Watts has been all over the place in changing his story, and lying, and trying new strategies, but in watching the body cam video when the police were at his house, he did seem to have a moment of grief when he discussed his children. There was no history of child abuse that I'm aware of, so I think it's possible that he regrets smothering his daughters. That is very sad, and I feel a bit of empathy in the sense that he will always have that burden on his soul. I think some prisoners eventually respond to various prison ministries, and may come to realize that although they will never be free, they can at least try to be a better person within their circumstances, and some of them can learn to serve others and be a responsible member of their (prison) community. The ability to control one's actions and attitudes is a form of freedom in a sense.

[@clearday9525]

As I've got older my attitudes have changed. I used to think anyone could repent. My focus was on the poor murderer. But now I'm older, I focus on the victims and have more of an understanding of just how horrible cold-blooded murder is and just how cold-hearted that kind of murderer is. Life with possible parole is sort of a verbal fib. It's not life if you can get out. Here in the UK, life in prison could mean as little as 8 years in some cases. To me calling that a "life sentence" is not very honest. What really upsets me is when someone gets out of prison because somebody (or a panel) decides they're rehabilitated and "no longer a danger to society," and then that person abducts and murders a child. Again, I think the cold-blooded murderer (and the child molester) is very much underestimated by us all.

[@paulabrown6840]

It’s just all so sad.

[@laraoneal7284]

Thx Dr Todd. You seem like a compassionate man.

[@judem1359]

You are so right about his family being sentenced to death by him. He has also sentenced his victim’s family- Shanann’s parents and relatives to a life sentence of learning to live with the violent, terrible crime her committed. Life without parole seems a good fit for CW. I think your analysis was a really well balanced assessment of the issue....

[@gabriellaberman]

Anyone who call look their own child in the eyes and then go on to murder them, is a monster