Wesson enters not guilty plea

Preliminary hearing set for April 7

By Krisse Mansfield

Marcus Wesson, accused of killing 9 family members, pled not guilty on nine counts of murder during his arraignment Thursday.

Wesson’s preliminary hearing is set for April 7. At a preliminary hearing, evidence is presented to the court to determine if there is probable cause for a trial. The special circumstance of multiple murders makes Wesson eligible for the death penalty.

Fresno Country District Attorney Elizabeth Egan said whether or not Wesson receives the death penalty will be decided only after all the evidence is presented in court.

During the trial, Wesson was appointed a public defender to handle his case because his previous attorneys, David Mugridge and Gary C. Harvey, said Wesson lacks the financial means to retain counsel.

Public defender Pete Jones brought up issues regarding Wesson’s visitation rights and the condition of his cell.

Wesson told Jones that even though he wasn’t allowed visitors, two tours of what he thought were mental health care or psychology students were taken by his cell and that he was allowed to speak to them.

Egan said she did not have any information about the tours, and could not confirm if it was true or false.

Two of Wesson’s sons were present in court along with two women. They remained surrounded by victims’ service specialists until they left the courthouse, where they were chased down the street by dozens of reporters.

One of the women said after the trial that she wanted people to stop making false claims about the family. She did not identify herself or her relationship with Wesson.