Steven Black has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years for the murder of 50-year-old Susan Watkins. The sentencing concludes a case that began in the summer of 2025.
As reported by True Crime News, Black was already reportedly on parole for a previous crime when he encountered Watkins, a woman who was living on the street at the time of the incident. The attack took place in July 2025, in the 900 block of South Jennings Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing Black throw Watkins to the ground and stomp on her head and body.
During the assault, Black reportedly used a piece of asphalt to beat her face multiple times. After the attack, he left her body in a dumpster, where police eventually discovered her lying injured. Officers found Black near the scene, covered in blood and attempting to flee. The piece of asphalt used in the assault was recovered nearby.
She passed away a few days later
Watkins was transported to the hospital following the attack, but she died from her injuries five days later. During the trial, prosecutor Grayson Ezzell presented the piece of asphalt as evidence. In his closing arguments, he stated that Black bashed her brains in. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the guilty verdict and the subsequent life sentence.
The victim was reportedly a former Army reservist originally from Mineral Wells. Her daughter, Briana Watkins, spoke about the impact her mother had on those around her despite the challenges she faced while experiencing homelessness.
As NBC Dallas Fort Worth reported, Briana Watkins said, “Despite her situation, she was still the light of my life; she was still someone who made me laugh. She was still someone I loved dearly. … She just cared about others more than that I’ve ever seen anybody ever care about someone else, ever.”
The victim’s family remains searching for answers regarding the motive behind the attack. They have expressed confusion over why Black was free on the streets at the time given his status on parole. Briana Watkins noted that her mother had drugs in her system at the time of the attack based on toxicology reports, though the family is unsure if that is a connection to the crime.
Dorothy Grimes, the mother of the victim, highlighted the character of her daughter. She remembered her as someone who stood up for others, noting, “She’s always worried about other people, and you know getting on bullies. She wouldn’t let bullies bully other kids.” While police have not released a specific motive for why Black targeted Watkins, the investigation relied on witness accounts and evidence gathered at the scene.
Published: Sep 1, 2026 02:45 pm