Trial Begins for California Man Accused in Deaths of Nine of His Children

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBO8F6UV5E.html

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A man charged with slaughtering nine of his children and stacking their bodies in his home went on trial Thursday, with prosecutors portraying him as a controlling figure who had sex with some of his daughters and beat the youngsters with baseball bats.

Marcus Wesson, 57, also demanded his children study the Bible for hours a day and forced his daughters to wear dresses and cover their heads at all times, prosecutor Lisa Gamoian said in her opening statement.

Wesson could get the death penalty if convicted of murdering the children, ages 1 to 25. Gamoian said all but one were shot through the right eye with a .22-caliber handgun. The 1-year-old was shot in the left eye.

Wesson's attorney, Pete Jones, has argued in court papers that his client's daughter Sebhrenah shot the victims, then killed herself. He noted that Wesson did not have gunshot residue on his hands when he was arrested.

more

[Maine-ah]

1. pretty gross.

though I wonder why every child but one was shot in the right eye?

[hippiechick]

2. "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out ..."

or some twisted Biblical reference like that ...

[Mari333]

3. Bible totin gun lovin control freak

Bet you he voted for Bush.

[BlueEyedSon]

4. "Religion is a neurological disorder" --Bill Maher nt

[mordarlar]

5. Such an odd case. The gun was found under the daughter?

[CO Liberal]

6. I'd Bet This Guy Is a Republican

Obsessed with religion, illicit sex, and violence - all the hallmarks of the GOP. Probably has a Jesus fish on his SUV, too.