Marcus Delon Wesson (born August 22, 1946) is an American criminal convicted of nine counts of first-degreemurder and 14 sex crimes, including the rape and molestation of his underage daughters. His victims were his children, fathered by incestuous relationships with his daughters and nieces, as well as his wife's children.[1][3] He has been described as the worst mass murderer of Fresno, California.[4]
Marcus Wesson was born in Kansas, the eldest of four children of Benjamin and Carrie Wesson. He was raised as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[5] Wesson claimed that his mother was a religious fanatic. His father was an alcoholic and child abuser who abandoned the family when Wesson was a child.[6] By the early 1960s, the family had moved to San Bernardino, California.
After dropping out of high school, Wesson joined the Army, serving from 1966 to 1968 as an ambulance driver.[7][8] Shortly after leaving the military, Wesson moved in with an older woman, Rosemary Solorio and her eight children in San Jose, California.[7] In 1971, Solorio gave birth to Wesson's son. In 1974, Wesson began sexually abusing Solorio's eight-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.[9] Wesson married Elizabeth Solorio when she turned 14, and he was 27.[8] Four months later, she gave birth to her first child. Eventually the couple had 10 children together, including one infant who died.[8][10]
One of Elizabeth's younger sisters left her own seven children with them, claiming to be unable to care for them due to a drug problem. Wesson never held a steady job; he lived off welfare and had his working adult children give him all their earnings.[11][12] In 1989, Wesson was convicted of welfare fraud and perjury.[13][14][15] The family often lived in run-down shacks, boats, and vacant houses.[8]
Wesson was abusive toward his wife and children. He prevented Elizabeth from participating in the children's upbringing. He homeschooled the children and taught them from his own handwritten Bible that focused on Jesus Christ being a vampire. He told the children that he was God and had them refer to him as "Master" or "Lord." He taught the children to be prepared for Armageddon and said that the girls were destined to become Wesson's future wives. Wesson's school "curriculum" involved teaching girls oral sex as young as 8 or 9.[8] Their domestic responsibilities included washing Wesson's dreads and scratching his armpits and head.[8] The girls were not allowed to talk to their male siblings or their mother.[9] Both male and female children were physically abused.[9] Wesson raped two daughters and three nieces, beginning at age eight.[10] Each of the five girls became pregnant.
Murders
Before March 12, 2004, Wesson had declared his intention to relocate his daughters and their children to Washington state, where Wesson's parents lived.[16] On March 12, 2004, several members of Wesson's extended family, along with two nieces who rebelled against him, converged on his family compound demanding the release of their children.[16][17]Fresno police were summoned to what was described as a child custody issue, and a standoff ensued.[4] Wesson told the police to wait at the door and disappeared into the home. When he came back to the door, his clothes were bloodied.[8]
Fresno police testified they did not hear gunshots being fired shortly after, though other witnesses at the standoff testified they did hear gunshots fired at that time.[18] In the aftermath, police discovered nine bodies, including two of Wesson's daughters and a total of seven of their children, in a bedroom filled with antique coffins.[16][18] Each victim had been fatally shot through the eye. Wesson's other children, who were not present inside the house, survived the incident.[18]
At Wesson's trial, the prosecutor was Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Gamoian. Wesson was represented by public defenders Peter Jones and Ralph Torres. They presented the defense that his 25-year-old daughter Sebhrenah committed all the murders, including of her son Marshey, and then committed suicide.[22] The murder weapon, a .22 caliberhandgun, was found with her body, and Sebhrenah's DNA was found on the gun, which lent credence to Wesson's claim.[18] The jury declined to find that Wesson fired the fatal shots but convicted him of murder anyway, presumably finding that he had persuaded his children to enter into a suicide pact.[22]
Conviction and sentence
Wesson was convicted of nine counts of first-degree murder on June 17, 2005, and also found guilty on 14 counts of forcible rape and the sexual molestation of seven of his daughters and nieces. Wesson was sentenced to death on June 27, 2005, and is currently in San Quentin State Prison.[23]
^ abFontana, Cyndee; Anderson, Barbara; Coleman, Donald E. (April 18, 2004). "The Many Portraits of Marcus Wesson". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, CA.
^Llorente, Elizabeth (August 30, 2018). "Will Jerry Brown commute sentences of every death row inmate in one of his last acts as California governor?". Fox News.
^"Marcus Wesson's Family Tree", Court TV, May 10, 2005
^ ab Marshall, Carolyn (March 16, 2004). "Fresno Victims Were Shot, Police Report". The New York Times. Fresno, CA. from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
^Arax, M. (June 30, 2005). Wesson gets death in 2004 murder. The Los Angeles Times.
^BOVSUN, MARA (February 23, 2014). "Justice Story: Vampire king". NY Daily News. from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
^ abThe Many Portraits of Marcus Wesson - Those who know the accused killer draw starkly conflicting views of him. (April 18, 2004). The Fresno Bee.
^ abcGuthrie, J. (September 14, 2009). Survivors recall horror of Wesson mass killing. San Francisco Chronicle.
^ abRyan, H. (May 19, 2005). Child brides and vampire names: Bizarre the norm in mass murder trial. CNN.
^"Marcus Wesson Mass Murder: Surviving Family Speaks Out on Abuse". ABC News. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
^"Dad Guilty Of Killing His 9 Kids". cbsnews.com. June 17, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
^. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
^"Suspect in 9 slayings had hold over women - US news - Crime & courts - NBC News". msnbc.com. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
^"Many Questions In Fresno Slayings". cbsnews.com. March 16, 2004. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
^ abcFrancis, Monte (May 29, 2007). By Their Father's Hand: The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre. New York: Harper Collins. pp. 10. ISBN978-0-06-087824-5.
^Francis, Monte (November 3, 2007). "Wesson massacre largely forgotten". The Daily Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
^ abcdChild brides and vampire names: Bizarre the norm in mass murder trial February 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine By Harriet Ryan, Court TV via CNN.com, Thursday, May 19, 2005,
^Schalder, J., Phillips, H. & Stohler, E. (July 5, 2010). Family brainwashed by dad struggles to heal. ABC News.
^Schalder, J., Phillips, H. & Stohler, E. (July 5, 2010). Family brainwashed by dad struggles to heal. ABC News.
^ abcdefgStewart, J.Y. (June 4, 2005). Jury gets Fresno murder case. The Los Angeles Times
^ abi Barbassa, Juliana (June 2, 2005). "Prosecution says Marcus Wesson carried out murder-suicide pact". Associated Press. Fresno, CA. from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
^Barbassa, Juliana (June 17, 2005). . Associated Press. Fresno, California. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
External links
Fresno police chief: 'Horrific' scene at home at CNN.com
Scheeres, Julia. . Crime Library. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
January 06, 2023
marcus, wesson, marcus, delon, wesson, born, august, 1946, american, criminal, convicted, nine, counts, first, degree, murder, crimes, including, rape, molestation, underage, daughters, victims, were, children, fathered, incestuous, relationships, with, daught. Marcus Delon Wesson born August 22 1946 is an American criminal convicted of nine counts of first degree murder and 14 sex crimes including the rape and molestation of his underage daughters His victims were his children fathered by incestuous relationships with his daughters and nieces as well as his wife s children 1 3 He has been described as the worst mass murderer of Fresno California 4 Marcus WessonBornMarcus Delon Wesson 1946 08 22 August 22 1946 age 76 Kansas 1 Conviction s MurderCriminal penaltyDeath de jure 2 DetailsDateMarch 12 2004Location s Fresno CaliforniaTarget s FamilyKilled9WeaponsStainless steel Ruger MK II Target 22 caliber handgun Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Murders 3 Victims 4 Trial 5 Conviction and sentence 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEarly life and education EditThis section includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this section by introducing more precise citations November 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Marcus Wesson was born in Kansas the eldest of four children of Benjamin and Carrie Wesson He was raised as a member of the Seventh day Adventist Church 5 Wesson claimed that his mother was a religious fanatic His father was an alcoholic and child abuser who abandoned the family when Wesson was a child 6 By the early 1960s the family had moved to San Bernardino California After dropping out of high school Wesson joined the Army serving from 1966 to 1968 as an ambulance driver 7 8 Shortly after leaving the military Wesson moved in with an older woman Rosemary Solorio and her eight children in San Jose California 7 In 1971 Solorio gave birth to Wesson s son In 1974 Wesson began sexually abusing Solorio s eight year old daughter Elizabeth 9 Wesson married Elizabeth Solorio when she turned 14 and he was 27 8 Four months later she gave birth to her first child Eventually the couple had 10 children together including one infant who died 8 10 One of Elizabeth s younger sisters left her own seven children with them claiming to be unable to care for them due to a drug problem Wesson never held a steady job he lived off welfare and had his working adult children give him all their earnings 11 12 In 1989 Wesson was convicted of welfare fraud and perjury 13 14 15 The family often lived in run down shacks boats and vacant houses 8 Wesson was abusive toward his wife and children He prevented Elizabeth from participating in the children s upbringing He homeschooled the children and taught them from his own handwritten Bible that focused on Jesus Christ being a vampire He told the children that he was God and had them refer to him as Master or Lord He taught the children to be prepared for Armageddon and said that the girls were destined to become Wesson s future wives Wesson s school curriculum involved teaching girls oral sex as young as 8 or 9 8 Their domestic responsibilities included washing Wesson s dreads and scratching his armpits and head 8 The girls were not allowed to talk to their male siblings or their mother 9 Both male and female children were physically abused 9 Wesson raped two daughters and three nieces beginning at age eight 10 Each of the five girls became pregnant Murders EditBefore March 12 2004 Wesson had declared his intention to relocate his daughters and their children to Washington state where Wesson s parents lived 16 On March 12 2004 several members of Wesson s extended family along with two nieces who rebelled against him converged on his family compound demanding the release of their children 16 17 Fresno police were summoned to what was described as a child custody issue and a standoff ensued 4 Wesson told the police to wait at the door and disappeared into the home When he came back to the door his clothes were bloodied 8 Fresno police testified they did not hear gunshots being fired shortly after though other witnesses at the standoff testified they did hear gunshots fired at that time 18 In the aftermath police discovered nine bodies including two of Wesson s daughters and a total of seven of their children in a bedroom filled with antique coffins 16 18 Each victim had been fatally shot through the eye Wesson s other children who were not present inside the house survived the incident 18 Victims EditSebhrenah April Wesson age 25 Daughter 19 Elizabeth Breahi Kina Wesson age 17 Daughter 20 Illabelle Carrie Wesson age 8 Daughter Granddaughter 21 Aviv Dominique Wesson age 7 Daughter Great niece 21 Johnathon St Charles Wesson age 7 Son Great nephew 21 Ethan St Laurent Wesson age 4 Son Great nephew 21 Marshey St Christopher Wesson age 1 Son Grandson 21 Jeva St Vladensvspry Wesson age 1 daughter granddaughter 21 Sedona Vadra Wesson age 1 Daughter Great niece 21 Trial EditAt Wesson s trial the prosecutor was Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Gamoian Wesson was represented by public defenders Peter Jones and Ralph Torres They presented the defense that his 25 year old daughter Sebhrenah committed all the murders including of her son Marshey and then committed suicide 22 The murder weapon a 22 caliber handgun was found with her body and Sebhrenah s DNA was found on the gun which lent credence to Wesson s claim 18 The jury declined to find that Wesson fired the fatal shots but convicted him of murder anyway presumably finding that he had persuaded his children to enter into a suicide pact 22 Conviction and sentence EditWesson was convicted of nine counts of first degree murder on June 17 2005 and also found guilty on 14 counts of forcible rape and the sexual molestation of seven of his daughters and nieces Wesson was sentenced to death on June 27 2005 and is currently in San Quentin State Prison 23 See also EditList of homicides in California List of child abuse cases featuring long term detentionReferences Edit a b Fontana Cyndee Anderson Barbara Coleman Donald E April 18 2004 The Many Portraits of Marcus Wesson The Fresno Bee Fresno CA Llorente Elizabeth August 30 2018 Will Jerry Brown commute sentences of every death row inmate in one of his last acts as California governor Fox News Marcus Wesson s Family Tree Court TV May 10 2005 a b Marshall Carolyn March 16 2004 Fresno Victims Were Shot Police Report The New York Times Fresno CA Archived from the original on September 5 2014 Retrieved January 11 2010 Arax M June 30 2005 Wesson gets death in 2004 murder The Los Angeles Times BOVSUN MARA February 23 2014 Justice Story Vampire king NY Daily News Archived from the original on April 9 2017 Retrieved March 24 2017 a b The Many Portraits of Marcus Wesson Those who know the accused killer draw starkly conflicting views of him April 18 2004 The Fresno Bee a b c d e f g Justice Story The Vampire king of Fresno kills 9 children New York Daily News a b c Guthrie J September 14 2009 Survivors recall horror of Wesson mass killing San Francisco Chronicle a b Ryan H May 19 2005 Child brides and vampire names Bizarre the norm in mass murder trial CNN Marcus Wesson Mass Murder Surviving Family Speaks Out on Abuse ABC News Retrieved June 26 2015 Dad Guilty Of Killing His 9 Kids cbsnews com June 17 2005 Retrieved June 26 2015 Shiftless Life Marcus Wesson Crime Library Crime Library Archived from the original on September 5 2014 Retrieved September 5 2014 Suspect in 9 slayings had hold over women US news Crime amp courts NBC News msnbc com Retrieved June 26 2015 Many Questions In Fresno Slayings cbsnews com March 16 2004 Retrieved June 26 2015 a b c Francis Monte May 29 2007 By Their Father s Hand The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre New York Harper Collins pp 10 ISBN 978 0 06 087824 5 Francis Monte November 3 2007 Wesson massacre largely forgotten The Daily Journal Retrieved March 24 2017 a b c d Child brides and vampire names Bizarre the norm in mass murder trial Archived February 7 2006 at the Wayback Machine By Harriet Ryan Court TV via CNN com Thursday May 19 2005 Schalder J Phillips H amp Stohler E July 5 2010 Family brainwashed by dad struggles to heal ABC News Schalder J Phillips H amp Stohler E July 5 2010 Family brainwashed by dad struggles to heal ABC News a b c d e f g Stewart J Y June 4 2005 Jury gets Fresno murder case The Los Angeles Times a b i Barbassa Juliana June 2 2005 Prosecution says Marcus Wesson carried out murder suicide pact Associated Press Fresno CA Archived from the original on August 21 2012 Retrieved October 19 2010 Barbassa Juliana June 17 2005 Marcus Wesson guilty in murders of nine of his children Associated Press Fresno California Archived from the original on June 29 2011 Retrieved October 19 2010 External links EditFresno police chief Horrific scene at home at CNN com Scheeres Julia Marcus Wesson orders the death of 9 of his children all spawned of incest Crime Library Retrieved on 2007 11 16 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marcus Wesson amp oldid 1128345755, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
