News Bulletin: The Lester Street Murders

I’m sure you’ve noticed the missing person spotlight on Becky Sue Jenny Sharon the Third on my sidebar. Yes, that’s meant to be social commentary and snark blended into a poignant package; no, it is not my doing. The new initiative spotlights the underreported stories of missing black children involving bloggers like Mr. HustleKnocker of HustleKnockin’ (who created the graphic), Deidra of Black and Missing, and Gina of What About Our Daughters.

One story that hasn’t gotten the level of reporting it should have is the Lester Street Murders in Memphis.  Mini-roundup of blogger coverage:

At What About Our Daughters (I recommend listening to the podcast, too):

Tragic losses, but in light of last night’s topic about missing and murdered Black children, I was struck by the fact that the news coverage isn’t proportional with the statistics. For example I just learned about some more senseless murders in Memphis on the podcast last night. Four adults and two children were murdered plus several other children were seriously injured The two children who were killed were stabbed to death.

Three youngsters found wounded but alive in a house where six other people were slain are under police protection, and not even their relatives can visit them in the hospital. AP

They are calling these the Lester Street murders.

At Electronic Village:

Police found nine people (four adults and five children) inside 722 Lester Street in Memphis earlier this week.father of the five children was 29-year old Cecil Dotson. He was one of four adults and two toddlers murdered in the home.

Only three of the children were alive. The Memphis Police discovered the bodies of Cecil Dotson (shown in photo), Hollis Seals, Marissa Williams, Shindri Roberson, and two young boys at the house on Monday, March 3, 2008. This wasn’t a simple killing like we see on television. These killers were sadistic. The children were killed and cut-up and the parents were forced to watch.

At Black and Missing:

Governor Phil Bredesen announced Thursday that the State of Tennessee will offer a $50,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the Lester Street killings.

[...]Three youngsters found wounded but alive in a house where six other people were slain are under police protection, and not even their relatives can visit them in the hospital.

Authorities said the children are considered witnesses.

“Nobody will see those children,” said homicide detective Joe Scott. “This is a sensitive investigation. We’re keeping everything under the wraps right now.”

Police have offered no motive for the killings, which apparently occurred over the weekend at a small brick house in a neighborhood where low-income homes sit near cheap motels and junkyards.

Back to Electronic Village:

Police announced today that 33 year-old Jessie Dotson will be charged with six counts of first degree murder and three counts of attempted first degree murder. The police say that the Lester Street Massacre was the result of a family argument between two brothers that turned deadly.

As we shared with you earlier, Jessie Dotson just got out of prison January 26th, after serving time for second degree murder. Police say Jessie Dotson shot and killed his brother Sunday, March 2nd, after an argument, and then shot the three other adults in the home. He also stabbed the five children. Three of the children survived and are being treated at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

And returning to What About Our Daughters:

In other news, there has been an arrest in the case, the brother of one of the victims has been arrested in the GRUESOME torture and murder case:

Sources within the Memphis Police Department state that Jessie L.Dotson Jr. confessed to killing his brother and three other adults,along with killing two children and brutally beating three other of his young relatives and has been charged with First Degree Murder in the case of the Lester Street murders. Jessie is the brother of Cecil Dotson one of the victims. Thaddeus Matthews

This is semi confirmed by the announcement that the police are holding a press conference to announce an arrest in this case later today:

Memphis, TN – The Memphis Police Department is holding a news conference at 3:00 p.m. to announce the arrest of a suspect in the Lester Street Murders.

On Monday, March 3, 2008, Memphis police found four adults and two kids dead at a home on Lester Street in Binghampton. They found the bodies of Cecil Dotson, Marissa Williams, Shindri Roberson, Hollis Seals and two children, plus three children critically hurt. CW30

These were truly gruesome murders. The baby’s fingers were cut off. A knife was found lodged in the head of one of the children who were murdered. Three other children are in the hospital recovering from wounds in addition to the four adults who were murdered. Insane and barbaric.

So why aren’t we hearing more about this case in the media?  With up-to-the-minute coverage?