MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.C. — James Dunmore, the man accused of killing Allisha Watts, will not have his bond changed despite a request from his attorney.
A judge denied a request Monday by Dunmore and his lawyer to change his bond conditions. WRAL News on Friday confirmed Dunmore's attorney had asked the court to change his $1 million secured bond to unsecured so Dunmore can wait for trial outside of prison.
Dunmore is the man accused of killing his then-girlfriend Watts, the Charlotte woman whose remains were found in August in Montgomery County, North Carolina after an extensive search. Dunmore has been charged with murder.
The request from Dunmore's lawyer came after the state medical examiner said last week they were unable to determine the official cause of death for the woman. Dunmore's attorney said because of that indetermination, his bond should be changed.
The report states Watts' cause of death was "undetermined" because her body was so badly decomposed by the time it was found in the woods. In summary, the report said the remains showed no apparent injuries.
Assistant District Attorney, Arthur Dinadio argued that Watts did not mysteriously die and Dunmore was the last person to see her alive. The attorney also points to Dunmore’s violent past.
In the end, the judge denied the request based on the condition of the remains. With a secured bond, Dunmore would have to pay the $1 million or collateral to secure his release. Until that happens, Dunmore must remain in jail.
Meanwhile, Watts' supporters are staying strong for Watts. Loved ones said they are confident there are enough facts to hold Dunmore responsible for her death.
“I think God is in our favor,” a family friend said. “I think we just have to be patient, and let the process take its course and I think everything will turn out alright.”
“This is a victory, and we have many more to come,” Dorothy (Dot) Brower, a family friend and mentor, said.
Over 30 people showed up to the courthouse in support of Watts, some holding signs with the words “I am Allisha Watts".
The report included other graphic details about the condition of her body, some of those details, published within this paragraph, include that Watts' body was “skeletonized" and “severely decomposed." The autopsy report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Watts’s skull was detached, the body was entirely decomposed, and that she was missing teeth. She was 39 when she died.
Watts was last seen alive leaving her boyfriend James Dunmore's Charlotte home on July 16, 2023. Family members said she had tickets to a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum but never arrived. She was reported missing by family members three days later.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Dunmore was arrested on Aug. 24, 2023, the same day investigators found Watts' body in a remote area near a cemetery in the town of Norman.
Montgomery County Sheriff Pete Herron said officials believed her body had been there since July 18, the same day Dunmore was found unresponsive in Watts' SUV in Anson County.
Friends and family of Watts returned to the courthouse Monday. After the hearing, they gathered outside the courthouse to speak to reporters and the community.
Allisha Watts disappearance timeline
July 16, 2023: Allisha Watts is last seen leaving James Dunmore's home in northeast Charlotte. The couple was supposed to attend a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum but Watts never made it, family members said.
July 18, 2023: Dunmore was found unresponsive in Watts' Mercedes-Benz SUV outside a DMV office in Anson County. Detectives said he appeared to be the victim of an apparent attempted suicide.
July 19, 2023: Watts is reported missing by family after she never returned home from Charlotte. Her best friend said it wasn't like Watts to not show up at work and she immediately became suspicious.
July 20, 2023: A shell casing was found by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police outside Dunmore's home. It was for a 9 mm handgun.
July 26, 2023: Family and friends of Allisha Watts travel to Charlotte demanding answers from CMPD. Watts' best friend and a cousin said they saw red flags in Dunmore's behavior, but her best friend said Watts shrugged it off because they were "in love."
On this same day, CMPD searched Dunmore's home again looking for evidence that could be used to cover up a homicide. Warrants revealed that detectives were looking for all sorts of evidence, including guns, other weapons and DNA evidence. They seized clothing, phones, a camera, laptop and other critical evidence.
Aug. 1, 2023: WRAL-TV reports that Dunmore had a lengthy criminal history in Virginia, including convictions for assault and battery, stalking and abduction.
Aug. 2, 2023: It's revealed that a Durham courthouse granted a protective order to a woman claiming to be Dunmore's wife. The woman requested the order in March 2023 and it was granted on April 9. The woman claimed Dunmore was physically abusive and threatened to kill her.
Watts' sister Tammy Utley shared a letter with WCNC Charlotte pleading for answers in the case. Utley wrote that the community "deserved to know" what happened to their beloved sister and asked Dunmore what made him "snap."
Aug. 8, 2023: Utley shares another letter asking Dunmore to tell the truth about what happened to Watts. She also criticized CMPD's handling of the case, saying they weren't being informed about new developments.
Aug. 9, 2023: CMPD detectives address the case publicly for the first time. Capt. Joel McNelly says the department's main goal is to find Watts and to protect the integrity of the case. He revealed CMPD had a surveillance photo showing Watts and Dunmore together at Northlake Mall.
Aug 22, 2023: A 911 call lays out a clear timeline of when Watts' vehicle left Dunmore's home.
Aug. 24, 2023: Remains believed to be Watts are found in Montgomery County. Dunmore is arrested a short time later in Charlotte and will be charged with murder.
Aug. 25, 2023: Dunmore is charged with murder.
Aug. 28, 2023: Dunmore appears in court. He was read his murder charge, given a court-appointed attorney, and told he'd be held without bond.
Sept. 1, 2023: Friends and family come together at Northlake Mall to remember the life of Allisha Watts. "The pain is endless," Tammy, Allisha Watts' sister, said. "Show love to one another because you never know when the last time will be the last time."
Sept. 14, 2023: The court finds probable cause that James Dunmore killed Watts on or around July 18.
Oct. 23, 2023: Despite being listed on the administrative docket for that day, Dunmore did not appear in court.
Oct. 25, 2023: Dunmore was given a $1 million bond in court. Montgomery County District Attorney Lynn Clodfelter stated they will not seek the death penalty.
Dec. 7, 2023: Before Watts was killed, she was planning on opening up a group home for those who needed help. Taisha Calloway and her family created a foundation to continue her work in advocating for equality for those seeking treatment for mental health. Calloway spoke to WCNC Charlotte about her mission.
Jan. 29, 2024: The defense attorney for James Dunmore asks the judge to expedite the release of evidence.
Feb. 7, 2024: Watts’ mother, Evex Franklin, opens up about her daughter's death, saying “I think about how my baby was laying near a graveyard."
March 13, 2024: Allisha Watts' autopsy results listed her cause of death as “undetermined.”
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.