He admitted to helping his mother beat a NC man to death. Now he wants a trial
Payton Watts helped his mother beat and kill a North Carolina man after the matriarch thought he had stolen drugs from the drug dealing operation she ran from her home, according to court testimony.
Corey Soles died from blunt force trauma, taking eight to 10 blows to the head from Watts that ultimately ended the 29-year-old’s life.
Watts, who was a minor at the time of the crime, pleaded guilty to murder in July 2025 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Now, Watts, of Green Sea, is asking the court for a trial, claiming his plea was “involuntary” and that he had ineffective counsel. Watts had entered the plea before his trial could take place.
In Watts’ post-conviction relief petition filed Jan. 21, 2026, Watts said that his “counsel failed to investigate witnesses and certain evidence.”
Watts’ mother Samantha Watts was sentenced to 45 years in prison for obstructing justice and murder. Payton Watts and his two siblings were all accused of being involved in Soles’ death and the dumping of his body, which was found in Galivants Ferry after he was reported missing on Jan. 10, 2023.
Eight people were involved in the case. Police claimed at the time that Soles was assaulted by a mob of suspects, who inflicted serious bodily injuries upon him.
