A La Jolla man who strangled retired biotech executive John G. Watson in 2010 for financial gain was sentenced Jan. 20 to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge ordered Kent Keigwin, 61, to pay more than $3,000 for Watson’s funeral, but didn’t order any restitution because ultimately, Keigwin was never able to collect the $8.9 million he tried to illegally obtain by stealing Watson’s identity. Several friends of Watson, 65, showed up at the sentencing. Some said Watson met Keigwin several years ago at a ski club, but were only acquaintances. “We miss him greatly, but his impact will never fade in our lives,” said Beth Martinez. Keigwin, a financial advisor, entered Watson’s apartment at 8111 Camino Del Oro in La Jolla on June 8, 2010, and shot Watson with a stun gun, disabling him. He then strangled Watson, took his computer, wallet and other possessions. Friends of Watson showed up at Watson’s door that day when he didn’t keep an appointment. A building manager let them inside, and after finding his body, they called police. Two days later, at 5:30 a.m., Keigwin returned to the building, and, stepping off the elevator at the floor where Watson lived, ran into police officers and evidence technicians who were still processing the scene. Keigwin had empty bags and a flashlight and could offer police no explanation why he was there. He was in possession of Watson’s keys and police found Watson’s computer in his car after he was arrested. “I’ve always been shocked to see people like you who take a life for greed,” said San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Link, addressing Keigwin. “This is a cold-blooded, calculated … murder.” “I have no mercy for you. Whatever happens to you, happens to you,” said Link. The judge turned down the request by Deputy District Attorney Sharla Evert to impose an additional 11 years for other crimes the jury convicted Keigwin of, like forgery, burglary, attempted grand theft and using Watson’s credit cards. He was convicted Nov. 18. Link also turned down the request of defense attorney Stacy Gulley to dismiss the special circumstances of murder for financial gain and murder during a robbery. These charges were the basis for the life term without parole. Martinez said Watson was a multi-millionaire, but didn’t live like one because he drove a 14-year old Saab and stayed in a modest two-bedroom apartment. She said he had “worked hard and sacrificed for over 40 years building his nest egg” and was enjoying his retirement. Watson worked in the pharmaceutical industry and Martinez said, “helpful and life-saving drugs are being used today” due to Watson. “We will miss his robust laugh, his quick wit, and our stimulating and lively conversations,” she said. Keigwin spoke briefly at the sentencing “I am sorry for the death of John Watson,” he said. “I will spend the rest of my life seeking God.” A probation officer wrote that Keigwin claimed a Christian conversion in jail after earlier being an agnostic most of his life. Keigwin was fined $612. Link noted he had served 589 days in jail, but since he received a life term without parole, he cannot receive credit for those days.
