An Orange City man is in jail, after he put his wife’s face in the dogs’ water bowl preventing her from being able to breathe, Orange City police say.
47-year-old Richard Watson was arrested at his home in the 2300 block of S. Volusia Avenue on Thursday and charged with attempted murder.
Cops arrived at the couple’s home just before 10:00 p.m., after an argument broke out. Debra and Richard Watson began arguing over a television program that Debra wanted her husband to watch with her, investigators learned. Then, to make matters worse, when Debra brought Richard’s dinner, according to the arrest affidavit, he was unhappy with it because the “crust was raw.” That’s when things really got heated.
Richard slammed his uncooked dinner against the front door and began tackling his wife, investigators also learned.
Debra Watson told investigators her husband then put her face in the dog’s water bowl and held her head there preventing her from being able to breathe. She said Richard told her, “I will kill you bitch.” She also told investigators she almost lost consciousness and she thought her husband was going to kill her.
Authorities say, the bowl of water in which Debra’s face was held was about 5″ x 5″ and 2-3 inches deep, large enough for a face to fit in.
Red marks were found on both of Debra Watson’s cheeks and also on her neck, consistent with strangulation, police say.
Richard Watson was arrested Thursday and charged with attempted felony murder. He was booked into the Volusia County Jail.
