"I freaked out you understand me." "I didn't know what to do." "That's just...it's rage." That's the confession from North Carolina native Chris Watts to his father, Ronnie Watts, which was caught on camera. The video was just released. He was sentenced to life in prison for killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters.
In the clip, notice that Chris Watt's body language imploded. This means that his body caved in on himself. His shoulders slouched; his arms pulled in. He was stiff and rigid, no movement. Although he did look at his father to make a connection.
When it comes to disclosure, in this case, a confession, you tend to focus on the perpetrator. But,
words can have an impact. And what I saw in Mr. Watts' body language let me know that he's hurting. He's struggling. And it gives you a sense of the relationship dynamics between father and son. In this clip, watch carefully because you're gonna see several gestures.
1) Neither men look at each other. You avoid something that pains you or you avoid the person you're hurting. In this case, Mr. Watts doesn't look at his son, Chris, because what Chris says is hurtful, painful, unbelievable. Chris avoids looking at his dad - perhaps because it's easier to talk about. Or, he doesn't want to see the hurt his dad is feeling. Or, he can't believe that he's confessing.
2) His dad, Ronnie Watts, is visibly uncomfortable - he rests his head in his hand, wipes his face, moves the bottle of water. And through it all - he turns in his seat and reaches out for his son's hand. And that's love. No matter what his son did, Mr. Watts loves him. But, notice that Chris didn't respond to the gesture. He was motionless and stoic. No visible gestures of concern or love for his father. And that's telling.
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