Wesson Family in Court

The man accused of Fresno's worst mass murder was in court this morning, along with his family.

ABC Action News 30/August 30, 2004

The hearing was short, but unlike most hearings where only one or two of Wesson's sons are in court. More than a dozen Wesson children and his wife were on hand.

After the hearing, Wesson's wife, Elizabeth, broke down in the courtroom. She had to be comforted by her sons.

At one point, Wesson looked back at his family briefly and smiled, but that was the only emotion seen from him.

The Wesson family was ordered in court so the judge could make sure the family is in court on January 24th. That's a day before the scheduled trial start date.

They've been served subpoenas and are witnesses in the murder trial.

Wesson is accused of shooting nine of his children in his central Fresno home in March. He also faces rape and other sexual abuse charges.

The next major development in the case is the change of venue hearing scheduled in two weeks.

Defense attorneys want to move the trial out of Fresno County. They say that because of all the publicity, Marcus Wesson can't get a fair trial.