Married Monroe County, Missouri man sentenced to life for murdering his fiancée

Jefferson City, Mo. – Cole County, Missouri Judge Jon Beetem has sentenced James Addie to life without parole plus 10 years for First Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action in the death of a Randolph County woman.

Addie, who was married to another woman, murdered his fiancée, Molly Watson, in 2018. 

Addie’s sentencing comes two months after he was convicted by a jury, who issued a verdict in a little more than two hours following a four-day trial.

Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Talley Smith issued a statement following the sentencing:
“Justice has been served today. James Addie will never be released from prison in the State of Missouri,” Smith said. “His actions destroyed two families: the family of his victim, Molly Watson, and his own. While nothing can bring Ms. Watson back to her family who loved her very much, society can send the strong message that violent crime will not be tolerated. Murderers will face prosecution and justice…The professionalism of these (state and local law enforcement) agencies and their outstanding investigation were invaluable in bringing justice for Molly Watson and her family.”

Watson, 35, was killed in a remote area of Monroe County in April 2018. She and Addie were to be married two days later in Columbia.

But James Addie, 54, was still married to his wife Melanie Addie and living near Santa Fe in southern Monroe County. The Addie’s were divorced shortly after James Addie was arrested for Watson’s murder.

The case was tried by Smith with the assistance of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. This case was originally investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Control.