Skip to main content
Clear icon
81º

Man accused in League City triple murder out of jail

Suspect in 1983 murders bonded out

GALVESTON COUNTY – The suspect recently arrested in a 1983 triple homicide has been released from jail after posting bond.

According to a Galveston County Jail representative, Jesse "Dean" Kersh, 58, posted $150,000 bond Friday evening.

Kersh was arrested last month more than three decades after the stabbing and shooting of three people in 1983.

"I was sad. Sick. Disgusted,” said Marie Vickery when she found out through social media that the man recently arrested and accused of killing her cousin 32 years ago is now out of jail. Kersh is accused of killing Beth Wilburn, Thomas McGraw and James Oatis.

The homicides took place on Nov. 3, 1983, at the Corvette Concepts Shop, in League City, where Kersh once worked.

Detectives said Kersh went on a bloody rampage, stabbing and shooting the owner and two workers over and over again. Wilburn was co-owner of the business at the time. McGraw was an employee of the business. Oatis was a contracted electrician performing work on the premises.

Wilburn was stabbed more than 100 times. Oatis was shot 10 times. On Monday, KPRC 2 was told that Kersh did not want to talk about his release or about the charges. 

Oatis was Vickery’s cousin.  She said, "This is not just a man we're talking about; This is three whole families; Three little girls and a wife; This is a mom, sisters and brothers, cousins. This is human beings whose lives were completely changed by that moment in time. And for him to be allowed to just get out of jail and have a go free card, you know, as far as I'm concerned that's what's happened. I mean, is that justice?"

Kersh is facing three charges of murder.

"What I think is if we could go back in time and get Craig, but that's not possible. So, you know, am I upset? Am I mad? Yes," Vickery said. "We're real upset. He has three beautiful daughters who didn't get to grow up with him, one that was born right after he died."

As part of Kersh's bond conditions, he cannot change his address or leave the state without permission. He must surrender his passport; and he cannot drink or do drugs.


 


Loading...

Recommended Videos