Myers faces murder-for-hire charge: Mother of convicted killer goes on trial
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Prosecutors narrowed down the elderly defendant’s role in the murder plot during the opening two days of testimony Monday and Tuesday at the White County Courthouse. The prosecution’s move to place Ms. Myers in the conspiracy included bringing her own son and daughter-in-law to testify against her. The trial is being held in Sparta since a change of venue was granted due to pre-trial publicity.
Clementine Myers is accused of murder conspiracy for allegedly hiring Johnny Lewis, 40, to assist in the July 30, 1999 slaying of her son’s (Doug Myers’) longtime girlfriend, Dianne Watts, 42.
Watts, along with her daughter, Jessica Watts, 10, and family friend, Chelsie Smith, 13, were beaten to death in the Watts’ home and the house set on fire to cover the crime. Doug Myers, 42, was convicted last year on first-degree murder charges and is serving a life sentence. Lewis was convicted on charges of facilitation of murder and aggravated arson, just prior to Doug Myers’ conviction, and is serving a 65-year sentence.
In making their case against Ms. Myers, prosecutors brought her son, Gary Myers, to the stand. Gary Myers also faces murder conspiracy charges, but has cooperated with prosecutors, testifying in the first two cases.
During his testimony, which mirrored that of his wife, Marilyn Myers, Gary Myers said he and his wife went to his mother’s house the day of, or day after, the slayings and found Lewis inside. Gary Myers said it was unusual since he had never known Lewis to visit his mother’s house.
When they entered the kitchen, they found Clementine Myers counting out $100 bills while wearing plastic gloves, something else Gary Myers said was very unusual. Gary Myers said he then left quickly, not asking why she was counting out such large sums of money, noting his mother said something to the affect “that’s the last that SOB is getting.”
In response, Myers attorney Bob Peters pointed out Gary Myers did not tell lawmen of what he saw until two years after the murders. Gary Myers retorted he did not say anything until he hired a lawyer to represent him since lawmen led him to believe he was also a suspect.
Shirley Humphrey, former wife of Johnny Lewis, told the court she was told by Lewis to burn some clothes in a bonfire shortly after the slayings. She also said she overheard him saying “the girls weren’t supposed to be there” during a conversation, which she believed was concerning the two young girls killed in the triple murder. Humphrey said she also accompanied Lewis to Winchester shortly after the murders, during which time Doug Myers paid him $900. Humphrey said she understood the $900 was given to Doug Myers by his mother to pay off Lewis.
Along with information of a conspiracy after the murder, Humphrey gave testimony suggesting Ms. Myers’ participation before the slaying. Humphrey said Clementine had told Lewis “that Dianne was stepping on toes and that she wanting something done.”
Also testifying of Ms. Myers’ participation before the murders was Watts’ sister, Vickie Flemming, who recalled listening in on a telephone call from Ms. Myers to her sister (Dianne Watts) just days before the murders.
Flemming told the court she listened as Ms. Myers told her sister she was “going to take care of the problem.” The problem in question was a burglary at Gary Myers’ residence, which had happened a few days before. Flemming went on to say Ms. Myers told her sister that she knew where her (Watts’) daughter lived and where to find her (Ms. Watts). Clementine Myers then reportedly said some people from Grundy County could take care of the problem for $5,000.
In light of her testimony, Peters pointed to Flemming’s original statement where she referred to Myers’ call as a warning. Peters questioned why, if his client was involved in plotting Ms. Watts’ murder, she would tip her off to the crime just days before it was to happen.
In summing up the first two days of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Larry Bryant said the court should look at all the separate incidents which show Myers knew of the murders and then paid off Lewis for his assistance. In contrast, Peters pointed out neither Doug Myers nor Johnny Lewis ever contended Clementine Myers was involved in any conspiracy (both still contend their own innocence following their convictions). He also maintained there is no definite connection between his client and the murders.
“There’s too many leaps of faith in this case when you listen to the evidence,” Peters said.
Testimony continues at 9 a.m. today at the White County Courthouse in Sparta. The state is expected to finish its case today.