Published on: February 19, 2026, 06:10h.
Updated on: February 19, 2026, 06:10h.
- Lansing jury finds individual guilty in no-body poker homicide
- Deceased reportedly carried up to $15,000 to a poker event
- Blood traces uncovered inside SUV despite thorough cleaning
A Lansing, Michigan man, already serving time, has been found guilty of murdering a high-stakes poker enthusiast, even in the absence of a body, murder weapon, or direct witnesses, according to The Lansing State Journal.
On February 18, a jury from the Ingham County Circuit Court determined that Willie James Jr., 57, was guilty of second-degree murder concerning the January 2021 disappearance of 38-year-old Andrew Watson II, following a trial that exceeded two weeks.
Watson disappeared after departing from a girlfriend’s residence on January 12, 2021, reportedly carrying between $10,000 and $15,000 in cash, with witnesses stating he was en route to play poker with James. He has not been seen since.
Friends described Watson as a high-stakes player, often referred to by nicknames like “Skrill,” “Bubba,” “Money,” and “Moneybags.” Testimonies revealed he was known for displaying his wealth and routinely carrying significant amounts of cash.
However, Watson wasn’t a staple on the U.S. poker scene and should not be confused with another individual of the same name based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Forensic Findings in Vehicle
Law enforcement initially engaged with James after stopping him in late January 2021 and noticing a section of the carpet missing from his SUV. Officers also discovered he was in possession of a large sum of money.
The Journal reported that a subsequent search of the SUV revealed Watson’s blood in several locations, including the front passenger seat and beneath a fabric cover. Authorities also identified what they believed to be a bullet hole in the front passenger door frame, located at head or upper-body height.
This blood evidence was uncovered despite claims that the vehicle had been thoroughly detailed twice shortly after Watson’s disappearance.
In March 2021, further investigations led to the recovery of a plastic bag from a yard containing three of Watson’s cell phones, a pair of rubber gloves, and half of a $20 bill. Forensic tests confirmed these items bore Watson’s blood, as disclosed in court.
No trace of Watson’s body has ever been found, and no murder weapon was presented during the trial.
James, who was already incarcerated due to prior assault and weapon charges, was on parole when Watson disappeared. The sentence for this murder conviction will be served consecutively to his existing prison term.
James Shifts Blame to Deceased Individual
James presented his own defense, denying the accusation of killing Watson. He claimed he had lent his vehicle to his son the night Watson vanished and later learned that an associate of his son had murdered a man inside the vehicle, allegedly disposing of the body in a dumpster.
In closing arguments, Ingham County Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino challenged James’ narrative. He pointed out that the person James implicated is now deceased, hence could not face prosecution.
Crino noted that James did not directly accuse his son, Willie James III — who is currently serving a lengthy sentence for an unrelated murder — of Watson’s murder, as stated by Crino.
Crino characterized James’ defense as an “incredible, false tale unsupported by any evidence,” asserting that robbery was the motivation behind the incident, as reported by the Journal.
“It seems (Watson) likely died within that vehicle, yet the blood evidence alone cannot identify the perpetrators,” Crino remarked about the victim.
In Michigan, a second-degree murder charge can carry a sentence ranging from a number of years up to life imprisonment. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina has scheduled sentencing for April 15.