Posted on 06/17/2005 2:28:56 PM PDT by phoenix_004
Calif. - Marcus Wesson, the domineering patriarch of a large and incestuous clan, 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, 58, could get the death penalty.
The jury took more than two weeks to find Wesson guilty on nine counts of first-degree murder. He was also convicted on all 14 counts of raping and molesting seven of his underage daughters and nieces.
The defense had argued that Sebhrenah Wesson, 25 — the oldest to die — killed herself as well as her siblings and the 1-year-old son she had with her father. Prosecutors said Marcus Wesson was the triggerman, but they also argued that even if Sebhrenah did the shooting, her father should still be found guilty if he encouraged her to kill.
The jurors accepted the prosecution's second theory: They found Wesson guilty even though they decided the government did not prove he pulled the trigger.
Several witnesses had testified that Wesson had repeatedly coached the children to be ready to kill each other and themselves if authorities ever threatened to break up the clan. The jury will return on Wednesday for the penalty phase.
The slayings were the worst murder case ever seen in this agricultural town in the heart of California's Central Valley.
He was particularly severe with the young women, who testified they were home-schooled and had almost no contact with anyone outside the family.
Wesson beat them for speaking with men, and molested them from age 7 or 8. He also took any money they earned and dictated what they could eat.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
evil incarnate
I'm glad this guy was convicted....just don't know why it took the jury two weeks. Hope he fries, but since it's CA, I'm guessing he'll just be getting room and board for life.
This made me ill reading it.
Satan is about his business.
Just Sick!
speechless
>
What a justice system.
I'm not sure I've read correctly. This is the state of CA here in the United States, right? We're not talking about a CA that's a province in Albania are we? How can one CONVICT somebody in CA? There's the MSM getting it all wrong again.
Shoot him.
Whoa, Countyline....haven't seen you in an age. Hope all is well with you and yours!
Love to. But they'd put me away.
what a mugshot ((shudder))
What is this guy, an abortionmeister?
I think you're a troll. Do you want to know why?
Dayum. He looks evil.
Good riddance.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.