Written by: E. George
Published October 6, 2023 @ 7:20 PM ET
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. – In a startling turn of events, Joey Watkins, a Floyd County man accused of murdering 21-year-old Isaac Dawkins in 2001, has finally been exonerated after spending over two decades behind bars. This harrowing saga of a wrongful conviction, marred by prosecutorial misconduct and a flawed judicial process, has captivated the nation’s attention and highlights investigative journalism’s profound impact on the pursuit of justice.
In January 2000, Isaac Dawkins was found dead in his truck along a busy highway near Rome, Georgia, with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The ensuing investigation led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of Watkins, who was just 19 years old at the time. Sentenced to life in prison, Watkins steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout his long and arduous legal battle.
The case against Watkins was primarily built on the dubious identification of him and his friend, Mark Free, as suspects due to their connection to a small blue Honda allegedly involved in aggressive driving near the crime scene. Despite presenting a credible alibi, corroborated by cell phone records, Watkins was charged with murder,
