Deadline issued for Myers’ day in court
A deadline has been issued in the sole remaining case stemming from the 1999 triple murders on Myers Lane.
In an announcement sent this week to attorneys in the case of suspect Clementine Myers, Judge John Turnbull set an April 25 settlement deadline. In the statement, Turnbull said the parties must announce an agreement on or before that date or have the case set for trial before a jury in Cookeville.
Clementine Myers is the mother of convicted murderer Doug Myers who was sentenced to life in prison last year for the July 1999 murders of Dianne Watts, 42, Jessica Watts, 10, and Chelsie Smith, 13. The victims were beaten to death at the Watts’ Myers Lane residence and then the house set afire to cover the crime.
Clementine Myers stands charged with murder conspiracy and having criminal knowledge in the Dianne Watts murder. During earlier trials, prosecutors suggested the elderly woman may have paid off Johnny Lewis to keep him silent about the murders. Lewis was found guilty of trying to cover up the crimes.
Her other son, Gary Myers, testified he saw his mother counting out $100 bills the day after the murders, money prosecutors believe she was going to pay to Lewis, who was in her home at the time. Gary Myers will likely have his case settled once his mother’s case is disposed of since he has cooperated with prosecutors by testifying in both the prior trials. He is charged with the same crimes as his mother.
Prosecutors also suggested, during the trials of Lewis and Myers, that Clementine Myers may have had knowledge of the crime before it happened, although investigators say there is no evidence to suggest she actively took part in the slayings.
Should the case not be settled by the deadline, a trial will be slated before a jury in Cookeville. The cases have all been heard in Cookeville after a change of venue was granted due to pre-trial publicity.
Clementine Myers has been free on bond since shortly after her arrest in 2000.