PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- She's 5'3", a great-grandmother and jail records show she was born before World War II. Tuesday afternoon, Shirley Skinner drew stares from other inmates at the Pinellas County Jail as she was called before a judge for a crime you wouldn't expect from a woman her age.
"It's a warrant out of Illinois. $5,000,000 on their bond," said a Pinellas County judge.
74-year Skinner is charged with an execution-style shooting murder that relatives say was sparked by a bitter custody battle over her one-year-old great-granddaughter.
Authorities transported Skinner back to Illinois on Wednesday.
Steve Watkins' mother, Penny Watkins, told ABC Action News by phone that her son had filed for divorce from his wife Jennifer after a short marriage. When he showed up to pickup his child, Skinner's granddaughter, for a court-ordered visit, investigators believe Skinner put a gun to the dad's head and pulled the trigger.
"We believe she's not guilty," said Dan Fultz, her attorney. He says they expected what happened outside a Clearwater restaurant. When Illinois State Police, aided by Pinellas deputies showed up to take her away, she went quietly in hand-cuffs.
"We knew at some point someone was likely to be arrested. We did not know who they would arrest," said Fultz.
Fultz says Skinner and her granddaughter, Jennifer, are alleged to have been in the house at the time of the murder. He moved for a speedy trial in court this afternoon saying all they want is justice.
Investigators told me by phone that even with Skinner in custody it's not over, not quite yet.
"It is possible that additional arrests could be made as we continue our investigation," said Captain Scott Compton, a spokesperson with the Illinois State Police.
