WESTLAND, Mich. – Jamie Pearson, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend after she was found dead in her home Thursday, was video arraigned in court Sunday.
Pearson will be held in Wayne County Jail without bond after entering a not guilty plea. The preliminary exam will be Nov. 6 in Westland.
Pearson is charged with first-degree murder in the incident.
The victim, Rachel Watson, was found dead early Thursday morning at her home on Avondale. Her sister, Bethani Watson, went to check on her because she didn't show up for her job as a nurse Wednesday night. Bethani was first to find her body in the basement. Police arrived soon after.
"She was a sweetheart. She wouldn't hurt a fly. It is just sad that that happened to her," said Bethani.
Bethani said the mother of four was last seen Wednesday morning with her children. When the children got off the school bus that afternoon, Pearson was inside the house, said Bethani. But the children didn't see their mother.
Rachel recently ended a relationship with Pearson, who is the father of her youngest child, a 1-year-old boy. Bethani says the ex-boyfriend couldn't let go, promising to put her in a coffin.
"He had been stalking her, doing stuff. She just got her car fixed Friday. He put sugar in the tank while she was at work. It has been just a lot of stuff escalating. He was abusive," Bethani said.
"This is a pain I can't explain," said Rachel's father, Rev. Theodore Watson.
Rachel's children, aged 12 to 1 years old, are being cared for by relatives.
"They understand what happened and they're dealing with it," said Watson. "I have the youngest and as a grandparent, I'm embracing them."
Pearson is the father of Rachel's youngest child. The judge called the murder a "heinous crime," and Pearson's bond was denied.
"I want to look him eye-to-eye and ask him, 'How could you do that?'" said Watson.