Dade County man convicted of vicious murder of his 81 year old mother

TRENTON, Georgia (WDEF) – A jury this week convicted a son with viciously murdering his 81 year old mother.

Cathy Watson was attacked with a machete and mattock at her home on Sant Mountain in March of 2022.

Dade County authorities say her 59-year old son, Roger Allen Shrader, contacted them to say he had just killed his mother.

They found him sitting next to her body, covered in her blood, waiting on deputies to arrive.

They say he apologized to her husband and made a full confession when they took him in.

At his trial this week, witnesses said Shrader had mental health issues since childhood, but refused treatment.

His attorneys put on an insanity defense, which requires the suspect not to be able to distinguish between right and wrong.

However, when he took the stand, Shrader admitted that he knew had done a terrible thing.

The jury found him guilty, but mentally ill.

That means he can get mental health treatment while serving his sentence.

His sentencing will come at a later date, but he faces a minimum life sentence.

“Justice was delivered today in Trenton,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “I’d like to thank my prosecution team and law enforcement partners for their work on this case—because it certainly took a toll on them. We all hope that this brings some measure of peace to the victim’s family.”