Brother of Victim Is Charged in Deadly Memphis Shootings

[acmavm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/09tennessee.html?th&emc=th

By JOHN BRANSTON
Published: March 9, 2008


MEMPHIS — The brother of a man who was killed in a mass murder here last week that left six people dead has been charged in the crime, the police said on Saturday.

Jessie L. Dotson, 33, who had served 14 years in prison on another murder charge, was charged with six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. Mr. Dotson is the brother of Cecil Dotson, who rented the house where the murders took place.

The dead, all of whom were shot with a semi-automatic handgun, included two of Cecil Dotson’s sons, ages 2 and 4. Three other children in the house were stabbed and critically injured.

The Memphis police director, Larry Godwin, said that the Dotson brothers began arguing last Saturday afternoon and that the argument culminated in the shooting of Cecil Dotson early Sunday.

“He attempted to cover up the crime by brutally assaulting eight more people,” Mr. Godwin said. He added that Jessie Dotson thought they were all dead, “but by the grace of God three children survived.”

_____________________________________________

Wow. I can't wait to hear the defense attorney's spin on this one.

(I know, innocent until proven... But stupid left some living witnesses.)