Judge rejects plea deal in Ginnie Springs shooting case, sending Fisher Watts to trial

TRENTON, Fla. (WCJB) -Fisher Watts, the man charged in the deadly shooting of Koty Stewart at Ginnie Springs in 2024, is headed to trial after a judge rejected a proposed plea agreement.

The decision came after Stewart’s wife spoke directly to the judge during a pretrial hearing, delivering a victim impact statement on behalf of herself and the couple’s two children.

Attorneys asked the judge to accept a plea agreement that would have reduced Watts’ second-degree murder charge to manslaughter, with a 15-year prison sentence.

Watts is accused of shooting and killing Stewart during a Memorial Day weekend dispute at Ginnie Springs two years ago.

Watts’ brother, Dallas Watts, is already serving a five-year state prison sentence on related charges.

Before the judge ruled, Amber Stewart told the court she misses spending time with her husband and the ability to share moments with him.

“A father a brother & a son, a brother and a friend,” Stewart said. “The consequences of your actions are gonna stay with me and my family and me for the rest of our lives.”

After hearing from both sides, the judge rejected the agreement, leaving the second-degree murder charge in place.

Jury selection is set for July 6, with the trial scheduled to begin July 7.

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