Category: Marcus Wesson

Wesson’s conviction on nine counts of first-degree murder makes him eligible for the death penalty. FRESNO, California (AP) — Marcus Wesson, the domineering patriarch of a clan bred through incest, was convicted Friday of murdering nine of his children, whose bodies were found in a bloody pile last year at the end of a police standoff. Wesson’s conviction on nine counts of first-degree murder makes him eligible for the death penalty. He also was found guilty on all 14 counts of raping and molesting seven of his underage daughters and nieces. The jurors started deliberations on June 2, ultimately deciding

The judge in the Marcus Wesson case dismissed an alternate juror for hardship on Wednesday. Fresno County Superior Court judge R.L Putnam told the jury deciding Marcus Wesson’s fate that alternate juror number one was dismissed before telling them court would be dark on Thursday and Friday, and reminding them not to mention the case during the weekend. The alternate juror previously told the court during jury selection that she had a pre-paid vacation planned in June. Because the trial has continued into June, the juror was dismissed. The judge now has three alternate jurors to choose from, if a

Jurors is the Marcus Wesson trial requested information from the judge on Friday and an important ruling was made on whether Wesson’s family will be in the courtroom when the verdicts are read. The jury has been deliberating since late Thursday. They came back Friday afternoon and told the judge they wanted to re-read testimony from one of Wesson’s nieces. Marcus Wesson also made a request not to be in the courtroom when the verdicts are read and Wesson’s family members have been told they can’t be present when the jury reaches a decision. The jurors appeared casually dressed and

Jurors will begin deliberating the fate of accused mass murderer Marcus Wesson next week, a Fresno County Superior Court judge said Wednesday. Judge R.L. Putnam said he expects testimony to be completed Tuesday, followed by closing arguments and jury deliberations. Putnam’s announcement means Wesson likely won’t testify. Wesson, 58, is charged with killing nine of his children inside his central Fresno home during a child-custody battle on March 12, 2004. He is also accused of sexually abusing his daughters and nieces. In Context Nine bodies found in Fresno home; suspect in custody Polygamist Charged With Fresno Murders The Many Portraits

May 19, 2005 — Police say one gun killed all nine children in Fresno’s worst mass murder. But Thursday, the jury learned something else about that gun that could clear Marcus Wesson of murder charges. Most times, when a gun is fired, a residue is left behind. But, the FBI insists that wasn’t the case with the gun found at the scene of Fresno’s worst mass murder. That is hard for one local defense attorney to accept. In Context Nine bodies found in Fresno home; suspect in custody Polygamist Charged With Fresno Murders The Many Portraits of Marcus Wesson Fresno

The prosecution’s case against accused mass murderer Marcus Wesson will end soon, Judge R.L. Putnam said Tuesday in Fresno County Superior Court. The surprise announcement likely means the prosecution will not play several hours of tape-recorded interviews between Wesson and Fresno police detectives and that his lawyer soon will call witnesses on his behalf. Marcus Wesson, 58, is charged with killing nine of his children March 12, 2004. He also is accused of sexually abusing his daughters and nieces. If convicted of the multiple murders, he could be executed. He has pleaded not guilty. Testimony has revealed that Wesson was

Another niece of Marcus Wesson testified in Fresno County Superior Court that Wesson molested her as a young child and later had sex with her so she could have “babies for the Lord.” Brandi Sanchez, 26, also said she knew that once she heard gunfire coming from Wesson’s home, the children inside were dead. Wesson, 58, is charged with killing nine of his children inside his central Fresno home on March 12, 2004. He also is charged with sexually abusing his daughters and nieces. Wesson has pleaded not guilty. Testimony has revealed that Marcus Wesson was the father of the