EDITOR'S NOTE: ( Nikki "Araguz" is illicitly using that last name and is not legally a widow since by birth he is a male and District Judge Randy Clapp declared the marriage invalid for that reason.  This case is being appealed with the help of Mayor Annise Parker's transgender municipal judge appointee, Phllis Frye.) DW

Nikki Araguz, the transgendered widow at the center of a controversial lawsuit, admitted Wednesday to stealing the Rolex off the wrist of a woman she met at a bar last year.

The 36-year-old appeared in court in an orange jail uniform to plead guilty to felony theft in exchange for 50 days in jail.

Her attorney told visiting state District Judge George Godwin that she had already paid back $2,800 in restitution for the watch.

Araguz appeared to tear up as she admitted guilt in the Feb. 24, 2011 incident.

"She was upset," said her attorney, Jeff Downing.

Araguz was scheduled to plead Jan. 13, but was 40 minutes late to court. When she arrived, state District Judge Vanessa Velasquez revoked her bail and sent her to jail until Wednesday's setting.

It was the second time she was late compounded by bond violations, including drinking alcohol at a party, which she posted photos of on Facebook. She also wore a wireless microphone under her shirt for a film crew that accompanied her to court.

She has reportedly agreed to a documentary about her life and possibly a reality show.

Araguz, who was born Justin Graham Purdue, is fighting her husband's ex-wife for death benefits worth more than $600,000. Thomas Araguz, a Wharton County firefighter, was killed in a fire on July 4, 2010.

That case continues through the appellate process since a Wharton County judge ruled the marriage was not legally binding because Araguz was born a man.

brian.rogers@chron.com