Sentencing delayed for molester

Sentencing has been delayed until Oct. 26 for a Rockford man convicted of committing predatory criminal sexual assault in Palatine.

Because of his history, Ronnie Watts, 48, faces life in prison. He was convicted of a 1987 sex crime and sentenced to 10 years. He also has a sexual assault case pending out of Winnebago County involving a young girl.

On Monday, Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta denied a motion by Watts' attorney for a new trial and to reconsider the guilty verdict.

Among other points, attorney Steven Lee questioned the credibility of the now-17-year-old girl who testified Watts, a family friend, molested her in his Palatine apartment in 1998, when she was 8.

But the judge said the victim's demeanor, testimony, identification and specificity made her "incredibly credible."

Though he denied all 15 points of the defense's motion, Fecarotta said he didn't want to rush sentencing and delayed the decision.

Lee argued a sentence of natural life in prison would be "cruel and degrading," a notion Fecarotta said he didn't accept.

Lee also noted Watts' prior conviction was 20 years ago, and that he's been under supervision for only DUI since then.

"His wife and mother indicate he's a model and caring individual," Lee said.

Prosecutors painted a very different picture.

"These children, and that's what they are, have had to relive the horror and terror that is Ronnie Watts," said Mike Gerber, Cook County assistant state's attorney. "If we ever make him able to do this again, he will."