MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.C. — The man accused of killing Allisha Watts appeared in court on Tuesday. This was James Dunmore's first appearance in court since March, when a judge denied his request to reduce his $1 million secured bond. On Tuesday, the judge refused the lower Dunmore's bond again.
Dunmore's attorneys argued at the time he shouldn't have to wait for his trial from behind bars, after an autopsy couldn't determine Watts' cause of death.
Dunmore has been charged with murder in connection to the death of his then-girlfriend Watts, the Charlotte woman whose remains were found in August in Montgomery County, North Carolina after an extensive search.
The autopsy report states Watts' cause of death was "undetermined" because her body was so badly decomposed by the time it was found in the woods. In summary, the report said the remains showed no apparent injuries.
In March, Assistant District Attorney Arthur Dinadio argued Watts did not mysteriously die and Dunmore was the last person to see her alive. The attorney also pointed to Dunmore’s violent past. The judge ultimately denied Dunmore's request based on the condition of the remains.
Watts was last seen alive leaving Dunmore's Charlotte home on July 16, 2023. Family members said she had tickets to a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum but never arrived. She was reported missing by family members three days later. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Dunmore was arrested on Aug. 24, 2023, the same day investigators found Watts' body in a remote area near a cemetery in the town of Norman.
Montgomery County Sheriff Pete Herron said officials believed her body had been there since July 18, the same day Dunmore was found unresponsive in Watts' SUV in Anson County.
Allisha Watts disappearance timeline
July 16, 2023: Allisha Watts is last seen leaving James Dunmore's home in northeast Charlotte. The couple was supposed to attend a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum but Watts never made it, family members said.
July 18, 2023: Dunmore was found unresponsive in Watts' Mercedes-Benz SUV outside a DMV office in Anson County. Detectives said he appeared to be the victim of an apparent attempted suicide.
July 19, 2023: Watts is reported missing by family after she never returned home from Charlotte. Her best friend said it wasn't like Watts to not show up at work and she immediately became suspicious.
July 20, 2023: A shell casing was found by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police outside Dunmore's home. It was for a 9 mm handgun.
July 26, 2023: Family and friends of Allisha Watts travel to Charlotte demanding answers from CMPD. Watts' best friend and a cousin said they saw red flags in Dunmore's behavior, but her best friend said Watts shrugged it off because they were "in love."
On this same day, CMPD searched Dunmore's home again looking for evidence that could be used to cover up a homicide. Warrants revealed that detectives were looking for all sorts of evidence, including guns, other weapons and DNA evidence. They seized clothing, phones, a camera, laptop and other critical evidence.
Aug. 1, 2023: WRAL-TV reports that Dunmore had a lengthy criminal history in Virginia, including convictions for assault and battery, stalking and abduction.
Aug. 2, 2023: It's revealed that a Durham courthouse granted a protective order to a woman claiming to be Dunmore's wife. The woman requested the order in March 2023 and it was granted on April 9. The woman claimed Dunmore was physically abusive and threatened to kill her.
Watts' sister Tammy Utley shared a letter with WCNC Charlotte pleading for answers in the case. Utley wrote that the community "deserved to know" what happened to their beloved sister and asked Dunmore what made him "snap."
Aug. 8, 2023: Utley shares another letter asking Dunmore to tell the truth about what happened to Watts. She also criticized CMPD's handling of the case, saying they weren't being informed about new developments.
Aug. 9, 2023: CMPD detectives address the case publicly for the first time. Capt. Joel McNelly says the department's main goal is to find Watts and to protect the integrity of the case. He revealed CMPD had a surveillance photo showing Watts and Dunmore together at Northlake Mall.
Aug 22, 2023: A 911 call lays out a clear timeline of when Watts' vehicle left Dunmore's home.
Aug. 24, 2023: Remains believed to be Watts are found in Montgomery County. Dunmore is arrested a short time later in Charlotte and will be charged with murder.
Aug. 25, 2023: Dunmore is charged with murder.
Aug. 28, 2023: Dunmore appears in court. He was read his murder charge, given a court-appointed attorney, and told he'd be held without bond.
Sept. 1, 2023: Friends and family come together at Northlake Mall to remember the life of Allisha Watts. "The pain is endless," Tammy, Allisha Watts' sister, said. "Show love to one another because you never know when the last time will be the last time."
Sept. 14, 2023: The court finds probable cause that James Dunmore killed Watts on or around July 18.
Oct. 23, 2023: Despite being listed on the administrative docket for that day, Dunmore did not appear in court.
Oct. 25, 2023: Dunmore was given a $1 million bond in court. Montgomery County District Attorney Lynn Clodfelter stated they will not seek the death penalty.
Dec. 7, 2023: Before Watts was killed, she was planning on opening up a group home for those who needed help. Taisha Calloway and her family created a foundation to continue her work in advocating for equality for those seeking treatment for mental health. Calloway spoke to WCNC Charlotte about her mission.
Jan. 29, 2024: The defense attorney for James Dunmore asks the judge to expedite the release of evidence.
Feb. 7, 2024: Watts’ mother, Evex Franklin, opens up about her daughter's death, saying “I think about how my baby was laying near a graveyard."
March 13, 2024: Allisha Watts' autopsy results listed her cause of death as “undetermined.”
March 18, 2024: Judge denies attorney's calls for James Dunmore to be released from jail.
April 16, 2024: Judge refuses to lower Dunmore's bond from $1 million.
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