Brother Arrested In Horrifying Mass Murder Of Family In U.S.
Monday March 10, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
In case you missed it over the weekend, there has been an arrest in a shocking murder that left six people dead - including two young children.
Last week, we told you about the terrible find in a Memphis home where police discovered a family slaughtered. A man and several other adults were all found shot to death, while at least one of the youngsters apparently suffered fatal stab wounds and another was bludgeoned to death.
Three other children - all under the age of 9 - were in hospital with similar wounds.
Who could commit such an unthinkable act? Police now think they know. They're arrested the brother of the man who owned the home.
Cops allege Jessie L. Dotson (top left) got into some kind of argument with his sibling at his rented residence Monday. They contend the 33-year-old killed his own brother in the heat of the fight and then tried to get rid of all the other witnesses in the house. The victims include Cecil Dotson, 30, his 26-year-old wife, two other adults and the children, aged just 4 and 2.
It's not clear what may have sparked the argument, but authorities reveal Dotson was a known gang member who had only recently been released from prison after serving 14 years for second-degree murder. One of the victims in last week's mass killing was a former associate, who also served time for drug and firearm offences.
And while police often look to family members when a murder is committed, this time their main clue literally came from the mouths of babes. One of the wounded children still in hospital was well enough to point the finger at their uncle, and police didn't have to go far to find him.
They allege he believed he'd killed everyone in the home and a police affidavit claims he's admitted to the horrible crime.
Dotson now faces six charges of first-degree murder and another three of attempted murder. If he's convicted, the District Attorney General hasn't yet decided if the state will seek the death penalty.