ALLEGAN, Mich. (WZZM) -- The Allegan County man accused of shooting and burying his older brother is officially charged with the crime. Monday afternoon, Malcolm Dotson was charged with murdering Damon Sheldon on Friday in Trowbridge Township, where the men lived in different homes on the same property.
Court documents shed light on why Malcolm Dotson was upset with his brother right before the murder. He told investigators he was forced to live in filthy conditions with no electricity and that's behind the violence.
Sources close to the investigation also WZZM 13 that Dotson's brother attempted to sexually abuse him 20 years ago.
Through video arraignment, the public got a first look at the man accused of murdering his brother. Those who know Malcolm Dotson say there was another side to him.
"It was hard because I knew the soft side of him," said family friend Tiffany Forsythe. "I just knew the one soft side of each boy."
Dotson and Sheldon were half-brothers, according to family members. Deputies say Dotson walked over to his brother's home on Friday and shot him in the head with a rifle.
In court Monday, Dotson was confused one of the charges against him.
"Why was it illegal for me to possess such a firearm?" Dotson asked the judge.
"It wasn't illegal for you to possess it, it was illegal for you to use it when you committed a homicide," the judge replied.
"OK, your honor, I understand," said Dotson.
Investigators say after the murder, Dotson buried his brother's body in a shallow grave on the property.
WZZM 13 has also learned the murder victim, Sheldon, was on the sex offender registry for attempted criminal sexual conduct in 1995. Sources close to the investigation say Malcolm Dotson was the victim in that case.
"I'm sad because I have kids too and I would never want to be on the split side," says Forsythe.
Family friends say they're now reminding themselves of better times with Dotson and Sheldon.
"My last memory is the garage sale they had last year, telling me about a cool item that he had and could picture where it should be in my house," says Forsythe.
Court documents show Sheldon had previous charges for domestic violence and failing to register as a sex offender.
On Monday, Dotson was also arraigned on unrelated breaking and entering charges. For the murder charge, he is being held without bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 28.
