?I did not kill my family?: Convicted murderer maintains innocence

Doug Myers is shown days before his arrest in 1999 for murdering three people.

?I can tell the public Dale Potter convicted an innocent man of a murder he did not commit,? Myers said in a letter sent to the Southern Standard.

Myers? comments were written from the prison in Wartburg where he is serving life for the 1999 Myers Lane murders of his girlfriend, Dianne Watts, 41, her daughter, Jessica, 10, and family friend, Chelsie Smith, 13. An accomplice, Johnny Lewis, is serving 65 years for his role in the crimes.

Myers was convicted on murder charges by a Cookeville jury after his case was moved from Warren County. Myers? mother, Clementine Myers, was also later convicted for criminally negligent homicide for her lesser role in the crime. However, she has yet to serve any of her 20 months in prison.

In his letter, Myers contends someone else committed the crimes.

?I, Doug Myers, did not kill my family. I loved Dianne,? Myers wrote. ?I have evidence to show who did murder my family, and there are more than two people involved.?

The letter comes on the heels of a recent campaign announcement by Potter, who is seeking reelection as district attorney. In the announcement, Potter said there are no unsolved murders in Warren County which occurred under his watch. It is perhaps that claim which prompted Myers to write the Standard.

When reached for comment, Potter stressed the evidence against Myers was overwhelming and that jurors are the ones who sent him to prison.

?I think the jury?s verdict speaks for itself,? Potter said. ?And, the conviction has been upheld on appeal with no errors found. All you had to do is hear the evidence and listen to what Mr. Myers had to say to know who was responsible for the deaths.?

Myers did not say who he believes committed the murders. Potter says he has no doubt the man who committed the murders, Doug Myers, is sitting in prison.