The District Attorney’s Office has made a final offer to murder suspect Brandon Matthew Watson: go to trial and risk a murder conviction or plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and be sent to prison for 16 years and eight months.

Today Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees outlined the proposed deal to Judge Christopher Wilson, who then warned Watson that first-degree murder carries a penalty of 25 years to life and second-degree murder means a term of 15 years to life.

If Watson rejects the manslaughter offer, jury selection for his estimated 30-day trial will begin Monday.

Watson.

Watson is accused of stabbing and seriously injuring two men outside a bar in Eureka in February, then fatally stabbing Peter “Bo” Triantos behind a bar in Arcata in October 2018. The men attacked in 2016 came forward when they recognized Watson from media coverage of the Triantos killing.

According to witnesses who testified during the preliminary hearing, both fights began when Watson walked up and started bragging about being in a gang.

Defense attorney Andrea Sullivan told the judge today that she will speak with Watson about the prosecution’s latest offer. He is scheduled to be back in court tomorrow morning.

Watson was in the courtroom jury box today, wearing an orange jumpsuit, a mask and gloves.

Rees had said earlier this week that his office was unwilling to reduce the murder charge to manslaughter, and Watson was unwilling to accept a life term.

Watson, 29, has been in Humboldt County Correctional Facility for more than two years. As part of the plea bargain he would have to agree to give up credit for time served.

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