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19-Year-Old Arrested In Stabbing Death Of DeSoto Teen

DESOTO (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Police have arrested a 19-year-old Dallas-area man in connection with the slaying of another teen whose body was found in a residential alley the day before.

DeSoto police say Kay Ira Watts is being held in the city jail on a capital murder charge. Bond for Watts is set at more than $1 million.

It was not immediately known whether Watts had an attorney.

Capt. Ron Smith says detectives recovered evidence that tied him to the death of JaCorey Lavell Wilkerson of DeSoto. The 17-year-old was stabbed 11 times.

Police and family members say the teens knew each other but it isn't clear how close they were.

Investigators say the evening before the murder Wilkerson had nearly $100. It's believed during the course of the murder Watts robbed Wilkerson and stole that money. The police theory is backed by the fact that detectives found nearly $100 in Watts bedroom and it had blood on it. That evidence will be tested to determine if it's the victims blood.

Watts also reportedly admitted to attacking Wilkerson and told police he left the murder weapon at the scene. Officers recovered the knife believed to have been used in the attack in the alley.

The Texas Rangers assisted in the investigation.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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