Marcus Wesson

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Marcus Wesson (b. 1946 [1]) is an American man convicted of nine counts of first-degree murder and 14 sex crimes, including the rape and molestation of his underage daughters. All of his victims were his own children, fathered by incestuous relationships with his daughters and nieces, as well as the children by his wife. It is to date Fresno, California's worst mass murder. After a March 12, 2004 standoff with police over a child custody issue, the nine bodies were discovered in a bedroom filled with antique coffins, each victim having been shot through the eye.

At his trial, Wesson offered as defense that his 25-year-old daughter Sebhrenah, whose 18-month-old son Marshey (Wesson's own son and grandson) was killed as well, had herself committed the murders, and then subsequently committed suicide. 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.

Many potential jurors were excused from the trial after claiming to be 'terrified' to be in the same room with Wesson.

Wesson was convicted of nine counts of first-degree murder on June 17, 2005, and also found guilty on 14 counts of forcible sexual assault and the sexual molestation of seven of his own underage daughters and nieces. Wesson was sentenced to the death penalty on June 27, 2005.