A New York jury poured Sherwin and Karen Watkins a bittersweet cup of yuletide cheer Tuesday by convicting four youths of murder and robbery in the stabbing death of their son, Brian.
The Watkins' thoughts Tuesday were not only of their slain son, but also turned to the families of those found guilty of the Sept. 2, 1990, murder on a midtown Manhattan subway platform."I think I have more compassion for the families than for them. I think justice was served," Sherwin Watkins told reporters gathered in the Watkins' home.
"It's tragic news for the other families," said Karen Watkins.
The Watkins family's tragic news came 15 months ago at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York. The mother and father have found strength in their family and in their religion.
"We just feel like our family is forever. Our religion teaches that and we believe that. We know we will see Brian again," Karen Watkins said.
Karen Watkins said for a long time after Brian's death, she expected to be awakened by the opening of the garage door as her son returned home after a late night. Without Brian the "house is very quiet," she said.Tuesday's convictions won't bring back their son. But the verdicts allow the family a few moments of solace before having to face four other alleged perpetrators of the slaying and robbery. That group includes Yull Gary Morales, the only one of the eight accused of intentional murder. That trial is scheduled for next year. There is also the possibility that the first four convictions will be appealed.
Sherwin Watkins said it will be hard "just walking into the courtroom and seeing him (Morales) sitting there.
"It's going to be difficult reliving the whole incident again like it was the first time," he said. "If we want justice to be served, we have to do it."
Brian Watkins, his parents, brother and sister-in-law, all avid tennis fans, had watched John McEnroe defeat Emilio Sanchez at the U.S. Open tennis tournament and returned to the New York Hilton. They were waiting at Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street for the subway to the Tavern on the Green restaurant when a gang attacked them.
Brian and his brother, Todd, jumped to their mother's defense. The attackers stabbed Brian in the chest. He died 40 minutes later.
Karen Watkins said the family will make it through the next round of the trial "with the love and support of our family."
"I think it's going to be real hard," Sherwin Watkins said.
The Watkinses have made a half dozen not-for-pleasure trips to New York since the senseless killing. They stay off the streets.
"We don't do much walking around. I guess we don't really feel too secure walking around," Karen Watkins said. Most of the trips have been to testify.
They did not return for this year's U.S. Open. Sherwin Watkins said it would have been too painful. The family did watch the tournament on television.
Sherwin and Karen Watkins will go to Manhattan Jan. 3 for the sentencing of the four 19-year-olds convicted in state Supreme Court on Tuesday. Pascal Carpenter, Emiliano Fernandez, Johnny Hincapie and Ricardo Nova face 25 years to life in prison on the murder conviction.
Media attention to the killing has been intense, but the family has spurned offers to sell the story to a publishing or movie company.
"I think it would be very hard to live through a movie or a book," Karen Watkins said.
"We're concerned with justice," Sherwin Watkins said.