Monte Francis - By Their Fathers Hand: The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre

1 Wesson felt he was the master of a new spirituality that mixed vampirism and Christianity. He spoke about this in a letter he wrote from Death Row that appears in the last section of this book.

10 Elizabeth Wesson claimed not to remember seeing anyone else in the room besides her husband and daughter Lise. In her interviews with police and on the witness stand, she became hysterical when asked to recall what she observed at that moment in the southeast bedroom.

11 A nickname used by Marcus Wesson for his wife.

12 According to Sofina, Serafino made this statement. Dorian Wesson (who was not present the day of the murders) testified that Serafino told him later, Dad killed the kids. Oddly, when Serafino testified, he was not asked about making any statement to that effect.

13 Nothing of significance was found inside the coffins. They were primarily being used to store clothes.

14 Dr. Gopal ultimately reinforced defense attorneys claim that Sebhrenah and Lise probably died about an hour after the seven younger victims.

15 The source was likely Miguel Solorio, Elizabeth Wessons brother.

16 A nickname for Rosa Solorio.

17 Detective Doug Reese was the lead homicide detective on the case.

18 These are the events as described by Sofina from the witness stand.

19 A motion made by a defendant in an effort to have his lawyer removed from the case.

2 Rosa Solorio (nicknamed Rosie) gave birth to two of her uncles children: 4-year-old Ethan and 1-year-old Sedona; both were among those killed. Rosa remained faithful to her uncle, and she was the one he called the good soldier.

20 As for Wessons claim of inadequate representation, McMillin said he wasnt bothered by the accusation.

21 A musical genre that became popular in dance clubs in the 1990s characterized by a repetitive techno beat.

22 Wesson explained this in a letter written from Death Row that appears in the final section of this book.

23 In a letter written by Wesson from Death Row, Wesson says that he believes that he is a vampire, in a spiritual sense. The letter appears in the last section of this book.

24 The French phrase Le roi le veut translates in English as The King wills it. The poem was entered into evidence at trial, and Ruby identified it as her writing from the witness stand.

25 Sebhrenah and Kiani Wesson, Ruby Ortiz and Sofina Solorio, were all registered members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

26 Wesson idolized Koresh and felt the government was unfairly interfering with Koreshs leadership of the Branch Davidians. This was discussed at length during the trial.

27 Elizabeth Wesson made this statement from the witness stand.

28 Marcus Wesson told a probation officer that he worked at the bank for three years.

29 Illabelle Wesson was one of the children Marcus Wesson had with his daughter Kiani.

3 Sebhrenah Wesson was also found dead in the southeast bedroom. She gave birth to one of her fathers children, who was also among those killed, one-year-old Marshey.

30 Illabelle Wesson was the biological daughter of Kiani and Marcus Wesson and was also one of the murder victims.

31 These events, including the actions of Marcus and Rosemary, are as described by Ruby from the witness stand.

32 A family nickname for Gypsy.

33 A nickname for Wessons daughter Sebhrenah.

34 Kiani spent hours on the witness stand reading these and other entries from her journals.

35 Almae Wesson began a relationship with a woman named Marsha, who was married to Danny Solorio (Elizabeth Wessons nephew).

36 According to the 2000 census, African-Americans made up 5.3 percent of Fresno Countys population.

37 Sofina related this series of events from the witness stand. Under oath, Elizabeth claimed she didnt remember it happening.

38 The gunshot residue tests on Sebhrenah Wesson were done after her body had reached the morgue; the defense argued the tests should have been done earlier at the murder scene. Tests were performed on Marcus Wessons hands not long after his arrest.

39 The judge unsealed the transcripts in March 2005, after I made a motion to have them made public. The experts findings are discussed in the last section of this book.

4 Kiani Wesson gave birth to two of her fathers children: 8-year-old Illabelle and 1-year-old Jeva. Both children were killed on March 12, 2004.

40 Quote from the San Jose Mercury News, March 18, 2004.

41 A hearing to determine if a defendant can fire his or her counsel.

42 Alyssen is the daughter of Sofina Solorio and Milton Richardson, a man Sofina worked with at the Radisson Hotel.

5 Brandi Solorio, Ruby and Sofinas sister, testified that she, too, had been molested by Marcus Wesson. Unlike her sisters, she did not give birth to any of his children.

6 Nickname for 17-year-old Elizabeth (named after her mother), who was among the murder victims. She was also called Little Elizabeth by her family.

7 Marcus Wesson came into the Solorio family when Elizabeth and Rosemary were just girls. He first had a relationship with their mother, Rosemary Maytorena, and fathered one of her children before he married a teenage Elizabeth Solorio. There was no known sexual relationship between Rosemary Solorio (the daughter) and Wesson, although he seemed to have an important role in her life. In addition to giving him custody of her children, she declared at his sentencing hearing, My brother-in-law, hes always been a blessing to me. He saved me from a lot. I know that I always will have Marcus in my heart.

8 Marco Garcia, a son of Rosemary Solorio, lived with the Wessons for a period of time during his adolescence and at one time considered Marcus a father figure. He was one of Ruby and Sofinas brothers who came to the Hammond Avenue house to help them regain custody of their children on March 12, 2004. Marcos job was to remain at the front door; he wedged himself in the doorway to prevent Marcus from closing it.

9 In Spanish, mija is a term of endearment meaning my daughter.