MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.C. — A Montgomery County judge denied bond for a Charlotte man accused of murdering his girlfriend.
James Wendell Dunmore, 51, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Allisha Watts.
Watts had been missing since July 16. Her body was found last Thursday in Montgomery County.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed Dunmore had been arrested in Charlotte and was charged with Watts’ murder.
The arrest warrant stated, “the defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Allisha Watts.”
James Wendell Dunmore was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Allisha Watts. (Courtesy Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office)
Dunmore made his first court appearance Monday morning at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
No cameras or videos were permitted inside the courtroom.
Dunmore was seen in handcuffs, wearing a face mask.
The presiding judge determined Dunmore will be held without bond.
Family and friends of Watts attended the hearing and were sitting on the front row as Dunmore entered the courtroom.
They later held a short press conference outside the courthouse, sharing their satisfaction with the judge’s decision to deny bond for Dunmore.
“Be sure justice is served,” said Rev. Judy Little of Anson County. “I just want to be sure justice is served.”
Brenda Smith has been friends with Watts’ mom for over 40 years.
“She’s pleased with the decision today made in court, that’s what she wanted,” Smith said. “She stated if this is in fact the person that did this to her child, he’s taken away something she can never get back. If he is the one that did it, she says he deserves to have his eyes closed just like her daughter’s eyes [are] closed, never to be open again.”
Smith says she relates to the pain the Watts family is going through.
“Unfortunately, my daughter was murdered too,” Smith said. “But her case was never solved. That’s why we’re rallying behind [the Watts family], because we’re all from the same county and want to make sure justice is served for Allisha. [Her mom] wants to thank everyone that’s been helping out. I’ve been behind the scenes with the mom, because she’s not well, and we’re trying to make sure she’s OK.”
Smith says the discovery of Watts’ body has brought some comfort to family and friends.
“It’s a bittersweet situation,” Smith said. “We’re not happy about the situation, but we’re more than glad to be able to have found her so they can give her the proper burial.”
Smith says the family is handling Watts’ funeral arrangements.
Dunmore is due back in court on Sept. 14.