Jessie Dotson
Mass Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Memphis, Tennessee
TIME PERIOD
March 2, 2008
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
On March 2, 2008, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a mass murder occurred at 722 Lester Street in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including four adults and two children, while three other children sustained injuries. The perpetrator, 33-year-old Jessie Dotson, who was related to some of the victims, was arrested days later and subsequently convicted of all six murders, receiving six death sentences, the highest among inmates on Tennessee's death row. Dotson remains incarcerated at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee, where he continues to assert his innocence. Significant evidence includes Dotson's taped confession, featured in the A&E program "The First 48," which played a crucial role in the investigation and prosecution of this case, described as the worst mass murder in Memphis history.
Jessie Dotson is believed by some to have committed the murders due to personal disputes and family conflicts, as he was related to some of the victims. There is speculation that the motive may have involved a drug-related issue or retaliation for past grievances. Despite his confession, Dotson continues to assert his innocence, leading some to theorize about potential wrongful conviction or coercion during his confession.
The Lester Street Massacre: A Dark Chapter in Memphis History
Prelude to a Tragedy
In the stillness of early morning on March 2, 2008, a gruesome scene unfolded at 722 Lester Street, located in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. The day would become infamous as the site of one of the worst mass murders in the city's history. Six lives were brutally taken, including four adults and two children, while three other young children were left clinging to life.
The man behind this atrocity was Jessie Dotson, a 33-year-old recently released from prison, who shockingly was related to several of the victims. Dotson's violent history included a 1994 conviction for the murder of Halle Ralph Cox, a crime that had been driven by a dispute over a fraudulent drug deal. After serving 14 years for this crime, he was released just months before the Lester Street massacre, a release that would soon prove to have devastating consequences.
The Massacre
The events leading to the massacre began with an argument between Jessie Dotson and his younger brother, Cecil Dotson. The quarrel escalated into a violent confrontation inside Cecil's home. Fueled by alcohol and old grievances, Jessie unleashed a wave of violence. Armed with a semi-automatic handgun, he shot his brother multiple times, ending Cecil's life in a matter of brutal seconds.
But the horror did not stop there. Jessie turned his weapon on 27-year-old Marissa Rene Williams, Cecil's girlfriend, and then on two of Cecil's friends, 33-year-old Hollis Seals and 22-year-old Shindri Robinson, who were present at the scene. With the adults silenced, Jessie shifted his deadly intent towards the children. His two nephews, 4-year-old Cemario Dotson and 2-year-old Cecil Dotson II, were mercilessly stabbed and beaten to death. Three other children, however, survived his vicious attack: 9-year-old Cecil "C.J." Dotson Jr., 5-year-old Cedric Dotson, and 3-month-old Ceniyah Dotson, though they suffered severe injuries.
The Aftermath and Discovery
In an attempt to cover up his crimes, Jessie manipulated the crime scene to suggest gang or drug-related motives. He rearranged bodies, discarded weapons, and fled the scene on a bicycle belonging to one of the children. He even went so far as to dine out that evening and report to work the next day, hoping to maintain an alibi.
The gruesome scene at Lester Street was uncovered 40 hours later, on March 3, when Officer Randall Davis responded to a welfare check call. What he discovered was unimaginable: bodies scattered throughout the home, with the surviving children found barely alive. Officer Davis's discovery of young Cecil "C.J." Dotson Jr. in the bathtub, a knife embedded in his skull, marked the beginning of the unraveling of this horrific crime.
Investigation and Arrest
The surviving children were swiftly taken to a hospital under police protection. Initial investigations pointed towards gang-related motives due to Cecil Dotson's known gang affiliations. However, it was young C.J.'s brave testimony that shifted the focus onto Jessie. Despite his initial struggle to communicate, C.J. later identified his uncle, known to the family as "Uncle Junior," as the attacker.
On March 7, 2008, Jessie Dotson was arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. Despite evidence to the contrary, including his own taped confession, Jessie would later change his plea to not guilty, claiming the murders were the work of gang members, not himself.
Trial and Sentencing
Jessie Dotson's trial commenced in September 2010, with proceedings held in Memphis but jurors selected from Nashville due to pre-trial publicity. The prosecution, seeking the death penalty, presented a compelling case, bolstered by the courageous testimonies of surviving victims C.J. and Cedric Dotson, who pointed to their uncle as the perpetrator. Despite Jessie's claims of innocence and attempts to implicate gang members, the jury found him guilty on all counts.
On October 11, 2010, Jessie Dotson was sentenced to six death penalties, one for each life he took. He was also handed an additional 120 years for the attempted murders. As of 2025, Jessie Dotson remains on death row, maintaining his innocence and continuing to appeal his convictions.
Legacy and Current Status
The Lester Street massacre stands as a chilling reminder of the capacity for human brutality. Jessie Dotson, with his six death sentences, holds the record for the most death penalties among inmates on Tennessee's death row. His case, featured on A&E's "The First 48," captured national attention, highlighting both the depths of the crime and the resilience of its youngest survivors.
In 2024, Jessie filed another petition, challenging his capital convictions and sentences as unconstitutional. Yet, the shadow of his actions lingers, forever marking a tragic chapter in Memphis' history.
Sources
For further detailed reading, visit the original Wikipedia article here.
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Lester Street Massacre
Jessie Dotson murders six people, including family members, in a violent rampage.
Crime Scene Discovered
Police find the bodies of the victims after a welfare check at the Dotson residence.
Jessie Dotson Arrested
Jessie Dotson is arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder.
Trial Begins
Jessie Dotson's trial for the murders begins in Memphis, with jurors selected in Nashville.
Guilty Verdict
The jury finds Jessie Dotson guilty on all counts, including six counts of first-degree murder.
Death Sentences Imposed
Jessie Dotson is sentenced to six death sentences for the murders.
Conviction Upheld
An appeals court upholds Jessie Dotson's conviction and death sentences.
Petition Filed
Jessie Dotson petitions the court claiming unconstitutional capital convictions and sentences.
On March 2, 2008, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a mass murder occurred at 722 Lester Street in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including four adults and two children, while three other children sustained injuries. The perpetrator, 33-year-old Jessie Dotson, who was related to some of the victims, was arrested days later and subsequently convicted of all six murders, receiving six death sentences, the highest among inmates on Tennessee's death row. Dotson remains incarcerated at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee, where he continues to assert his innocence. Significant evidence includes Dotson's taped confession, featured in the A&E program "The First 48," which played a crucial role in the investigation and prosecution of this case, described as the worst mass murder in Memphis history.
Jessie Dotson is believed by some to have committed the murders due to personal disputes and family conflicts, as he was related to some of the victims. There is speculation that the motive may have involved a drug-related issue or retaliation for past grievances. Despite his confession, Dotson continues to assert his innocence, leading some to theorize about potential wrongful conviction or coercion during his confession.
The Lester Street Massacre: A Dark Chapter in Memphis History
Prelude to a Tragedy
In the stillness of early morning on March 2, 2008, a gruesome scene unfolded at 722 Lester Street, located in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. The day would become infamous as the site of one of the worst mass murders in the city's history. Six lives were brutally taken, including four adults and two children, while three other young children were left clinging to life.
The man behind this atrocity was Jessie Dotson, a 33-year-old recently released from prison, who shockingly was related to several of the victims. Dotson's violent history included a 1994 conviction for the murder of Halle Ralph Cox, a crime that had been driven by a dispute over a fraudulent drug deal. After serving 14 years for this crime, he was released just months before the Lester Street massacre, a release that would soon prove to have devastating consequences.
The Massacre
The events leading to the massacre began with an argument between Jessie Dotson and his younger brother, Cecil Dotson. The quarrel escalated into a violent confrontation inside Cecil's home. Fueled by alcohol and old grievances, Jessie unleashed a wave of violence. Armed with a semi-automatic handgun, he shot his brother multiple times, ending Cecil's life in a matter of brutal seconds.
But the horror did not stop there. Jessie turned his weapon on 27-year-old Marissa Rene Williams, Cecil's girlfriend, and then on two of Cecil's friends, 33-year-old Hollis Seals and 22-year-old Shindri Robinson, who were present at the scene. With the adults silenced, Jessie shifted his deadly intent towards the children. His two nephews, 4-year-old Cemario Dotson and 2-year-old Cecil Dotson II, were mercilessly stabbed and beaten to death. Three other children, however, survived his vicious attack: 9-year-old Cecil "C.J." Dotson Jr., 5-year-old Cedric Dotson, and 3-month-old Ceniyah Dotson, though they suffered severe injuries.
The Aftermath and Discovery
In an attempt to cover up his crimes, Jessie manipulated the crime scene to suggest gang or drug-related motives. He rearranged bodies, discarded weapons, and fled the scene on a bicycle belonging to one of the children. He even went so far as to dine out that evening and report to work the next day, hoping to maintain an alibi.
The gruesome scene at Lester Street was uncovered 40 hours later, on March 3, when Officer Randall Davis responded to a welfare check call. What he discovered was unimaginable: bodies scattered throughout the home, with the surviving children found barely alive. Officer Davis's discovery of young Cecil "C.J." Dotson Jr. in the bathtub, a knife embedded in his skull, marked the beginning of the unraveling of this horrific crime.
Investigation and Arrest
The surviving children were swiftly taken to a hospital under police protection. Initial investigations pointed towards gang-related motives due to Cecil Dotson's known gang affiliations. However, it was young C.J.'s brave testimony that shifted the focus onto Jessie. Despite his initial struggle to communicate, C.J. later identified his uncle, known to the family as "Uncle Junior," as the attacker.
On March 7, 2008, Jessie Dotson was arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. Despite evidence to the contrary, including his own taped confession, Jessie would later change his plea to not guilty, claiming the murders were the work of gang members, not himself.
Trial and Sentencing
Jessie Dotson's trial commenced in September 2010, with proceedings held in Memphis but jurors selected from Nashville due to pre-trial publicity. The prosecution, seeking the death penalty, presented a compelling case, bolstered by the courageous testimonies of surviving victims C.J. and Cedric Dotson, who pointed to their uncle as the perpetrator. Despite Jessie's claims of innocence and attempts to implicate gang members, the jury found him guilty on all counts.
On October 11, 2010, Jessie Dotson was sentenced to six death penalties, one for each life he took. He was also handed an additional 120 years for the attempted murders. As of 2025, Jessie Dotson remains on death row, maintaining his innocence and continuing to appeal his convictions.
Legacy and Current Status
The Lester Street massacre stands as a chilling reminder of the capacity for human brutality. Jessie Dotson, with his six death sentences, holds the record for the most death penalties among inmates on Tennessee's death row. His case, featured on A&E's "The First 48," captured national attention, highlighting both the depths of the crime and the resilience of its youngest survivors.
In 2024, Jessie filed another petition, challenging his capital convictions and sentences as unconstitutional. Yet, the shadow of his actions lingers, forever marking a tragic chapter in Memphis' history.
Sources
For further detailed reading, visit the original Wikipedia article here.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Lester Street Massacre
Jessie Dotson murders six people, including family members, in a violent rampage.
Crime Scene Discovered
Police find the bodies of the victims after a welfare check at the Dotson residence.
Jessie Dotson Arrested
Jessie Dotson is arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder.
Trial Begins
Jessie Dotson's trial for the murders begins in Memphis, with jurors selected in Nashville.
Guilty Verdict
The jury finds Jessie Dotson guilty on all counts, including six counts of first-degree murder.
Death Sentences Imposed
Jessie Dotson is sentenced to six death sentences for the murders.
Conviction Upheld
An appeals court upholds Jessie Dotson's conviction and death sentences.
Petition Filed
Jessie Dotson petitions the court claiming unconstitutional capital convictions and sentences.