Jim Watson is the

prime suspect in Beverley Watson's disppearance,

sheriff's officials admitted in federal court in

Newnan recently.

The admission came

during testimony in a lawsuit filed by a former

sheriff's lieutenant who alleged he was

improperly fired.

During testimony in

this trial, Maj. Bruce Jordan and several

deputies testified that Jim Watson is the prime

suspect in the investigation of the disappearance

of his wife. That is the first time anyone from

the Sheriff's Department has publicly

acknowledged this.

Johnson would not

comment on Watson's status as a suspect in his

wife's disappearance since it is now a matter of

public record. "That's Fulton County's

deal," he said in reference to the Watson

case.

The woman's remains

were found in south Fulton County last spring.

Authorities said they believed she was murdered

three years ago, but no arrests have ever been

made.

Her husband has

steadfastly maintained he is innocent of any

wrongdoing.

Officers have been

skeptical of his story that she walked away from

295 Stoneridge Way in the early morning hours of

Jan. 18, 1997, without even a coat, leaving

behind family vehicles, purse, car keys and two

children.

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