Alleged Murderer Afraid of Jail

A trial is taking place in Memphis, Tennessee to determine whether one man, or a gang, are responsible for the deaths of three adults, two children and the injury of three others in a Memphis home in 2008, as reported by the Associated Press for Yahoo News.

Jessie Dotson, 35, out of prison for a number of months on a previous murder charge, allegedly is the sole responsible party, as contended by prosecutor, Ray Lepone. 

Lepone stated that Dotson had argued with the first victim, his brother Cecil, in his brother's home.  When the argument grew more violent Dotson shot and killed him.  Then, in a desperate act to keep his actions from being discovered and returning to jail - he used his gun, knives and boards to remove any remaining witnesses.  He said that Dotson "wasn't going back to jail, ladies and gentlemen, and he did whatever he had to do to get out of that house with no witnesses."

Marty McAfee, defense attorney for Dotson, said in his opening statement that there was a lack of evidence against his client, and that Cecil Dotson's gang ties must be considered as well.

Jessie Dotson has pleaded not guilty to all charges; six for first-degree murder and three for attempted first-degree murder.

Crime scene photos displayed by Lepone showed blood throughout the house on couches, floors and a bathtub.  One photograph showed nine-year-old Cecil Dotson Jr. with a knife in his skull -- the child survived the attack and is slated to testify.

Dotson confessed to his mother, and the police, days after the bodies were found. 

McAfee, in arguing about the lack of evidence, stated, "There is no DNA connecting Jessie Dotson to the scene, while police also found several unidentified fingerprints and hair from an unknown Asian person." All members of the family, other occupants in the house and the suspect, are all black.

The "Gangster Disciples" had a recent falling out with their gang member Cecil Dotson, evidenced by Cecil's call to police to report activity at another gang member's home, contended McAfee.  Adding the idea of gang member involvement, McAfee hopes to dispel any quick judgment, and said, "If your theory doesn't match the physical evidence, you change your theory.  The evidence is going to compel you to decide not guilty."

The jury was been chosen in Nashville as the case has received national media attention.  The A & E television show, "The First 48," has highlighted the investigation.

Those killed were Jessie Dotson's 30-year-old brother Cecil; Marissa Williams, the brother's 27-year-old girlfriend; four-year-old Cemario Dotson, two-year-old Cecil Dotson II as well as Hollis Seals, 33, and Shindri Roberson, 22, a couple who were visiting at the house.

The murders occurred on the morning of March 2, 2008, both the dead and the survivors were not discovered until the following evening.

Judge James Beasley will not allow a tape of Dotson's confession, aired on the A & E show, to be shown at trial.  He will only allow statements that were made during the confession.

McAfee was upset that Memphis police also appeared on the television show, "This kind of attention corrupts, it influences, it interferes with good solid police work."

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