Fearing the confrontation would turn physical, Alexus Watkins came to her mother’s aid, prosecutor Jason Martin argued in court. Kevon and Alexus tussled and fell to the floor, authorities said. When their mother couldn’t separate her children, she called for help.

Prosecutors said Kevon held his sister in a chokehold for about 15 minutes, and one Bibb County deputy testified the 16-year-old was still choking her when authorities arrived 10 minutes after the 911 call.

Watkins eventually released the woman and deputies tried to resuscitate her. She was declared dead at a hospital later that night.

Martin argued that although Watkins didn’t intend to kill his sister, he intentionally placed her in the chokehold that led to her death.

“This act of violence resulted in an unspeakable tragedy for this family,” Macon DA David Cooke said. “I hope this verdict and sentence closes the door on this chapter of their lives and that they will be able to begin to heal.”

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