A violent July 2025 attack in Fort Worth that left 50-year-old Susan Watkins dead has ended with a murder conviction and a life sentence for 48-year-old Steven Black. More than a year after Watkins was found critically injured near a dumpster, a Tarrant County jury found Black guilty, while prosecutors presented the piece of asphalt they said was used in the fatal assault.
The case began with witness reports of a man attacking Watkins and ended in court with prosecutors describing an assault involving repeated blows and stomping. Black was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
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Susan Watkins was found critically injured near a Fort Worth dumpster
The case dates back to July 9, 2025, when police responded to the 900 block of South Jennings Avenue in Fort Worth’s Near Southside.
According to the arrest affidavit reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, witnesses described different parts of the attack. Two witnesses reportedly saw a man kicking Watkins behind a dumpster, while another reportedly saw a man carrying a rock before dropping it when police arrived.
At around 8:45 a.m., one witness called police after reportedly seeing a man stomping on a woman’s head.
Officers soon encountered a man matching the description close to the scene.
That man was identified as Steven Black.
Police attempted to contact Black, but he ran. Officers eventually caught and detained him. Investigators also noted what appeared to be blood on the lower portion of his legs. According to the affidavit reported by the Star-Telegram, Black declined to explain where the blood came from.
Watkins was found near the dumpster with the piece of rock investigators believed had been involved in the assault. She was taken to a hospital but died from her injuries five days later.
The investigation initially did not establish a motive or publicly identify a relationship between Watkins and Black. Her relatives later said they believed the two had never met before the attack.
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What witnesses said happened during the deadly attack
The case became even more disturbing when prosecutors presented the physical evidence at trial.
Prosecutor Grayson Ezzell displayed the piece of asphalt that prosecutors said Black used during the attack. During closing arguments, Ezzell described the violence inflicted on Watkins, saying Black killed her “by bashing her brains in with his foot and with this hunk of asphalt.”
“by bashing her brains in with his foot and with this hunk of asphalt.”
— Prosecutor Grayson Ezzell, as reported in courtroom coverage
According to courtroom reporting, prosecutors argued that Black repeatedly raised and brought the piece of asphalt down on Watkins while also stomping on her head.
The actual piece of asphalt was presented to the jury as evidence, adding a physical element to witness accounts that had first drawn investigators toward Black in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
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Susan Watkins’ family remembered more than her homelessness
Watkins was living on the streets when she was killed, but her family repeatedly stressed that homelessness did not define the woman they knew.
Her daughter, Briana Watkins, described her mother as someone who continued caring deeply about other people despite the hardships she faced.
“Despite her situation, she was still the light of my life; she was still someone who made me laugh. She was still someone I loved dearly. … She just cared about others more than that I’ve ever seen anybody ever care about someone else, ever.”
Watkins’ mother, Dorothy Grimes, also remembered her daughter as someone who stood up for other people.
“She’s always worried about other people. Getting on bullies. Wouldn’t let bullies bully other kids.”
— Dorothy Grimes, according to reporting carried by Audacy from NBC 5’s coverage
Her relatives said they were struggling to understand why Watkins had been targeted in such a violent attack. They also wanted investigators to determine what had led to the confrontation and whether Watkins and Black had known each other.
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Steven Black was reportedly on parole when Watkins was killed
One detail that remained significant throughout the case was Black’s legal status when Watkins died.
Police said Black was on parole at the time of the July 2025 killing. That information was reported during the initial investigation and became part of the background surrounding the murder case.
The circumstances were especially striking because investigators had not publicly established a motive or previous relationship between Black and Watkins. Her family said they believed the two had never met.
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Tarrant County jury finds Steven Black guilty of murder
The case eventually reached trial in Tarrant County in August 2026, more than a year after Watkins’ death.
Prosecutors relied on witness accounts and physical evidence, including the asphalt they said was used during the assault. Courtroom reports described the prosecution’s case as focusing heavily on the severity of the blunt-force attack.
Black did not testify in his own defense, according to courtroom reports.
The jury ultimately found Steven Black guilty of murder.
Following the conviction, Black received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
| Official detail | Information |
| Victim | Susan Watkins, 50 |
| Defendant | Steven Black, 48 |
| Attack date | July 9, 2025 |
| Location | 900 block of South Jennings Avenue, Fort Worth |
| Victim’s condition | Critically injured, later died |
| Date of death | Five days after attack |
| Trial | August 2026 |
| Verdict | Guilty of murder |
| Sentence | Life in prison |
| Parole eligibility | After 30 years |
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A year-long murder case ends with a life sentence
What began with an early-morning emergency call in Fort Worth ultimately became a murder prosecution centred on eyewitness accounts, physical evidence and a piece of asphalt prosecutors said was used to kill Susan Watkins.
The case also left Watkins’ family trying to ensure that her life was not reduced to the circumstances surrounding her death. Their recollections portrayed her as someone who cared deeply about other people despite facing serious hardship.
For Black, the criminal case has now resulted in a life sentence. He will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years under the sentence imposed by the court.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared based on a thorough review of the court-related information and reporting provided from the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, NBC DFW, Audacy/KRLD and True Crime News, along with reporting concerning the July 2025 investigation and the August 2026 trial. Details about the attack are presented as reported by investigators, witnesses and prosecutors. Steven Black has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years.
Sources
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram — Original reporting on the July 2025 attack, police affidavit, witnesses and Susan Watkins’ death.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram report - Fort Worth Star-Telegram / courtroom report — Reporting on the 2026 murder trial, prosecutors’ presentation of the asphalt and the guilty verdict.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram courtroom coverage - NBC DFW — Initial reporting on Black’s arrest, Watkins’ homelessness and comments from her family.
NBC DFW coverage - Audacy / KRLD — Reporting on the family’s search for answers and police statement that Black was on parole.
Audacy/KRLD report - True Crime News — Supplied report summarizing the conviction and sentence.
True Crime News original report
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