Brother of Lester Street Victim Charged With All 6 Murders

The brother of Cecil Dotson, Jessie L.Dotson Jr. has been arrested for the killings in the Lester Street murders.

During a press conference Saturday, March 8, 2008, Memphis Police Department revealed that the brother of Cecil Dotson, Jessie L.Dotson Jr. was arrested for the killings of the victims the Lester Street murders, including four adults Cecil Dotson, 30; Marissa Rene Williams, 27; Hollis Seals, 33; and Shindri Roberson, 22, and two children Cemario Dotson, 4, and Cecil Dotson II, 2, and the attempted murder of three other children which were all found on Monday evening, March 3, 2008.

Jessie L.Dotson Jr. was booked early Saturday morning and will be charged with six counts of first degree murder, and three counts of attempted first degree murder after allegedly confessing to the killings.

According to Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, the fight started between Jessie and his brother Cecil Dotson at 722 Lester Street after a disagreement. During the argument, Jessie Dotson shot his brother with a semi-automatic handgun and to cover up killing his brother he allegedly attempted to kill everyone in the house including the two women, one man and five children.

“It is our belief that when Jessie left the home, he believed everyone in the home was dead,” Police Director Larry Godwin said during the press conference. “But as we all know, by the grace of God, three children survived.”

Cecil Dotson Jr., 9; Cedric Dotson, 6; and Ceniyah Dotson, around 2 months old, survived the gruesome murder and are still in protective custody at Leboneur Children’s Hospital.

According to reports, one of the children identified Jessie Dotson, Jr. as being the killer. Dotson would then confess to being responsible for the gruesome murders.

Currently the death penalty is being sought against Jessie Dotson, Jr. No word is available if Dotson acted alone in the murders, however police are stating that they are still investigating.