Man gets 40 years after brutal truck lot murder of partner
Frederick, MD – A New Jersey truck driver who killed his domestic partner inside a tractor-trailer cab at a Costco distribution center in Maryland has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Matthew Sidney Watley, 48, of Sicklerville, NJ, pleaded guilty on October 21 to the stabbing death of 46-year-old Candice Thompson, also of Sicklerville. On Wednesday, Judge Scott Rolle handed down the maximum sentence in Frederick County Circuit Court. Watley will receive credit for time served dating back to his arrest on September 24, 2023.
Deputies with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were called to 5236 Intercoastal Drive in New Market around 1:30 a.m. that day after Costco security reported a man screaming and damaging his truck. When officers arrived, they found Watley inside the vehicle, behaving erratically and refusing commands. He had visible injuries and blood on his clothes.
After a tense encounter in which deputies deployed stop sticks and deflated the tires to disable the vehicle, Watley was taken into custody. Inside the cab, officers found Thompson lying face-down with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:00 a.m.
An autopsy later determined the cause of death was blunt and sharp force trauma.
The investigation revealed a history of domestic violence between Watley and Thompson, including prior incidents reported in Winslow Township, NJ. After the murder, Watley remained at Frederick Health Hospital under medical and mental health supervision.
The victim’s mother delivered an emotional victim impact statement in court, describing the devastation left behind by the killing. Prosecutors Kirsten Brown and Ricky Lewis represented the State of Maryland during the case.
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Key Points
- Matthew Sidney Watley sentenced to 40 years for the 2023 stabbing death of Candice Thompson
- The killing occurred inside a tractor-trailer cab at a Costco depot in Frederick County
- Authorities say the couple had a known history of domestic violence
