Former Congressman Wes Watkins pleads no contest to homicide charges

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Former Congressman Wes Watkins will not be going to jail after pleading no contest Monday to two misdemeanor negligent homicide charges.<br/><br/>Watkins was sentenced to three-months

Monday, December 20th 2004, 5:53 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Former Congressman Wes Watkins will not be going to jail after pleading no contest Monday to two misdemeanor negligent homicide charges.

Watkins was sentenced to three-months on both counts, but the sentences were deferred sentences and he will not go to jail if he commits no other crime during that time.

Watkins was charged for the deaths of Brian and Ardith Cullen of Stillwater in an April 19th traffic accident.

Police say the Cullen's were waiting to make a left-hand turn on State Highway 177 at Stillwater when their car was hit in the rear by a minivan driven by Watkins. The Cullens' car was then pushed into the path of a tractor-trailer and another car.

Watkins earlier agreed to pay $2-million to settle claims with the Cullen's 3-, 4- and 9-year-old daughters. The 3- and 4-year-olds were injured in the crash that killed their parents.