Man held on $9 million bail facing nine counts of murder in Fresno slayings case

Jet, April 5, 2004

A Fresno, CA, man recently was arraigned in the murder of nine members of his family, including seven children in that city's worst mass murder case.

Marcus Wesson, 57, was arrested and held on $9 million bond after he allegedly shot to death seven children aged 8 and under, a teenager and a young adult. Law enforcement officials in Fresno County said there was speculation that Wesson fathered some of the children with his own daughter. Six of the victims were females and three males, officials said.

The L.A. Times reported hat Wesson had a dozen or so biological children with him in Fresno and was surrounded by four women who acted as wives to him. The older women, the paper reported, dressed in black outfits and head scarves and often stood behind him with their eyes cast down. The group has been described as living in a very small "commune" setting.

The group's lifestyle reportedly included home schooling, modest clothing and a rejection of America's mainstream culture, neighbors told reporters.

Police said the bodies were stacked in a bedroom. They also said the home's living room had 10 very ornate caskets that Wesson bought from a local antique store.

Police went to the house in response to a child custody case. According to the Times, several women told officers that they had given Wesson custody of their children but now wanted them back and he refused.

The SWAT team came on the scene and a two-hour standoff ensued. Police have come under fire as neighbors reported to media organizations that they heard repeated gunshots and questioned why officers didn't move in quicker. Police officials responded by saying officers did not hear shots as they waited for Wesson to emerge.

Some neighbors described Wesson as friendly while others said he was odd and unusual and that he worked with the women late into the evening upgrading an old school bus.

His arraignment was delayed when Wesson showed up in court without a lawyer and said: "I don't want a public defender, I beg thee." He was ordered to return to court either with a lawyer or accept legal representation by the state.

Two of Wesson's adult sons have showed up in court vocally expressing love and support for him.

Dorian Wesson, 29, of Santa Cruz, CA, said his father moved to Fresno from San Jose to purchase and sell homes. He said he was raised a Seventh Day Adventist and that his father was not a member or founder of any cult.

At JET press time police were still trying to identify the victims. They also said they had no idea how the family was structured. Neighbors and city residents left candies and stuffed animals in a shrine-like tribute to the victims.