In the early morning hours of March 2, 2008, gunfire and brutal violence erupted inside a Lester Street home in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis. Thirty-year-old Cecil Dotson was shot and killed inside his own house. The attack was part of a larger assault that left six people dead and three children severely wounded.

Jessie allegedly shot Cecil multiple times, then turned on others in the home. Victims included 27-year-old Marissa Rene Williams, 33-year-old Hollis Seals, 22-year-old Shindri Robinson, and two young nephews identified as 4-year-old Cemario Dotson and 2-year-old Cecil Dotson II. Three more children—9-year-old Cecil C.J. Dotson Jr., 5-year-old Cedric Dotson, and 3-month-old Ceniyah Dotson—were found critically injured; C.J. was reported with a knife blade embedded in his skull when discovered.

Investigators focused on Jessie Dotson, who initially suggested gang involvement but later confessed to police and family members, saying he killed witnesses. Survivors’ testimony, particularly that of the children who identified their uncle, was used at trial. On October 11, 2010, a jury found Jessie Dotson guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder; sentencing followed the next day.