Jury finds Johnson City man guilty for 2022 murder

A jury has convicted Rex Dale Lewis of second-degree murder following a trial in Jonesborough.

Lewis was charged with murder and tampering with evidence after the body of James Al Watson was found at Lewis’ unit at Woodstone Condominiums in Johnson City in April of 2022. A report from the District Attorney’s office said Lewis pled guilty to the tampering charge prior to the three day trial. Lewis originally reported finding Watson’s body at his home, but investigators determined Lewis came and went for several hours from the residence and did not render aid to Watson.

The report also said the murder weapon was hidden by Lewis inside a vehicle at his auto shop in Elizabethton then later recovered by officers. Lewis will be sentenced on March 7th.

(IMAGE: Bristol Broadcasting News Archives)