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On June 23, 2009, Tommy Lee Kellum, 76, was tragically murdered in his home in Lake City, Florida, by Brenda Watson, his former partner. What began as a domestic dispute on one fateful night ended in a horrific act of violence that forever changed the lives of those involved.
The case is being explored in Snapped season 35 episode 1. The synopsis of the episode reads:
When a beloved grandfather is found shot dead in his Florida home, detectives fear his missing ex-wife is also in danger; as they uncover a tangled web of romance, infidelity and betrayal, new questions arise about her involvement in the murder.
The episode is set to air on Oxygen on January 5, 2025.
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The night of the murder of Tommy Lee Kellum
On June 23, 2009, Tommy Lee Kellum met his untimely death in his own house. The events occurred when Brenda D. Watson, with whom Kellum had a complicated past relationship, found herself in a tense confrontation. According to court testimony, Kellum deliberately turned off the electricity in their shared home on Washington Street, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and darkness.
Feeling threatened, Watson retrieved a .22-caliber rifle from a gun rack in the home. According to Lake City Reporter (July 18, 2012), when Kellum emerged from the bathroom, she fired several shots that hit him five times on his chest, abdomen, shoulder, back, and head. Prosecuting attorney Roberta Getzan characterized Watson's shooting pattern as "shooting until the gun would shoot no more."
The aftermath and escape
After the murder, Watson made calculated moves to cover up her crime. She rolled Kellum's body in a rug and ran off, taking his truck and bank card. According to News4Jax (June 26, 2009), her escape plan initially seemed to lead toward Canada, with investigators tracking her movement through Broward County.
On June 26, 2009, Watson was arrested in Erie, Pennsylvania, on a probation violation. While being interrogated, she admitted to killing Tommy Lee Kellum. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office confirmed her arrest and planned extradition back to Florida to face murder charges.
Legal proceedings and conviction
She opted for a nonjury trial and was tried by Circuit Judge David Fina. As per Lake City Reporter (July 18, 2012), her defense attorney, Blair Payne, described Kellum as an abusive lover, attempting to show that Watson had been provoked beyond ordinary limits. According to Payne, Tommy Lee Kellum charged toward Watson, and she shot the fatal shots.
The prosecution emphasized the strained nature of the relationship between Kellum and Watson and suggested the relationship should have ended much longer before turning fatal. On July 17, 2012, Watson was convicted of second-degree murder, as well as charges of discharging a firearm causing death.
The verdict came with serious implications. Watson was to face at least 25 years in prison. She was acquitted of the charges of grand theft in connection with the stealing of Kellum's truck and bank card. The truck was recovered later from Broward County.
Watch the latest episode of Snapped season 5 on Oxygen on January 5, 2025, for more details on the case of the murder of Tommy Lee Kellum.
