Illinois Man Seeks to Vacate 2006 Plea Deal in Attempted Murder, Sexual Assault Case

Shon Watts has filed a post-conviction petition to have his 2006 plea deal overturned nearly 19 years later.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:54am

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Shon Watts, a 46-year-old Illinois man currently in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, is seeking to have his 2006 plea deal vacated. In 2006, Watts pleaded guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Since then, Watts has filed multiple motions and appeals to try to withdraw his plea and vacate his sentence, citing issues with his mental competency and ineffective counsel. A judge has now agreed to hear Watts' latest post-conviction petition, which alleges constitutional violations and ineffective counsel during the appeal process.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities surrounding plea deals, especially when questions are raised about a defendant's mental competency and the effectiveness of their legal counsel. The fact that Watts has been persistently trying to overturn his conviction for nearly two decades raises broader questions about the criminal justice system's ability to ensure fair outcomes, even years after a case is closed.

The details

In 2006, Watts pleaded guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault stemming from an incident while he was serving a 12-year sentence for a home invasion charge. Prior to the plea deal, Watts requested a mental evaluation, which found him fit to stand trial despite having cognitive deficits like a low IQ and inability to read or write. Since entering the plea deal, Watts has filed multiple motions and appeals seeking to withdraw his plea and vacate his 30-year sentence, citing issues with his mental competency and ineffective counsel. A judge has now agreed to hear Watts' latest post-conviction petition, which alleges constitutional violations and ineffective counsel during the appeal process.

  • In December 2006, Watts pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
  • About a year and a half later, in 2008, Watts filed his first pro se motion to withdraw his guilty plea and vacate the sentence.
  • In April 2014, Watts filed a second motion seeking to vacate his sentence and withdraw his guilty plea.
  • In July 2023, Watts filed a post-conviction petition, alleging his counsel on the appeal decided to dismiss against his wishes and other claims of constitutional rights violations.
  • In November 2023, the post-conviction petition was advanced to the next stage and counsel was appointed.

The players

Shon Watts

A 46-year-old Illinois man currently in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections who is seeking to have his 2006 plea deal vacated.

David Cherry

The circuit judge overseeing the hearings on Watts' post-conviction petition.

Carrie Magerl

The attorney representing Watts in the post-conviction petition proceedings.

Gray Noll

The Morgan County State's Attorney handling the case against Watts.

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What they’re saying

“He is essentially attempting to undo the original conviction.”

— Gray Noll, Morgan County State's Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will hear further arguments on Watts' post-conviction petition at a hearing scheduled for May 6.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system when it comes to ensuring fair outcomes, even years after a conviction. The fact that Watts has persistently sought to overturn his plea deal for nearly two decades raises questions about the system's ability to properly address issues of mental competency and ineffective counsel, especially in complex cases.