Myers won’t get new trial: Must continue to serve three life sentences

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

DOUG MYERS

A motion for new trial was denied Friday for convicted Myers Lane triple murderer Doug Myers even as his mother, Clementine Myers, was handed a trial date for her alleged role in the crime.

Myers, 42, will continue serving his three consecutive life sentences in the light of the ruling by Judge John Turnbull. The defense had hoped the judge would find a reason to overturn the conviction and direct a new trial.

However, their only hope for a reprieve now lies in the hands of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.

Doug Myers was convicted early last year for the July 1999 murders of Dianne Watts, 42, Jessica Watts, 10, and Chelsie Smith, 13. The victims were beaten to death in Watts’ Myers Lane home and the house set afire to cover the crime.

With Myers denied a new trial, prosecutors now turn their focus toward the final piece of the puzzle in prosecuting Myers’ mother on charges of murder conspiracy and having criminal knowledge in the murder of Ms. Watts.

Prosecutors maintain Clementine Myers knew about the plan to murder Ms. Watts and may have also paid off Johnny Lewis for his part in the crime. Lewis is currently serving a 65-year sentence.

Clementine Myers’ other son, Gary Myers, who is also a defendant in the case, had earlier testified he saw his mother counting out money in her kitchen the day after the murder while Lewis sat in another room. Gary Myers said statements were made leading him to believe his mother was going to pay off Lewis.

Clementine Myers is set to stand trial Jan. 5. The location of the trial is still unknown; however, due to a change in venue, the trial will not be held in Warren County. The leading candidate to hold the trial is White County. The Doug Myers and Johnny Lewis trials were held in Cookeville.