Illegal butt injection murder trial begins

DALLAS - Jury selection is underway for the murder trial of a woman accused of performing illegal butt injections.

Denise “Wee-Wee” Ross and another suspect, “Alicia” Jimmy Joe Clarke, allegedly practiced medicine without a license and used common household products in their procedures.

Prosecutors said in 2015 left 34-year-old Wykesha Reid to die in Deep Ellum warehouse after injecting a mystery substance into her backside to enhance it.

Last month Reid’s children filed a lawsuit for damages related to her death. The lawsuit states she put her trust in Ross as she sought a low-cost alternative to a typically expensive cosmetic procedure.

"She died because not only did they decide they wanted to make a quick buck doing illegal injections, but also because when their patient started having medical problems they decided to cut and run,” said James Ames, an attorney for the family.

The lawsuit claims "Clarke and Ross ran from the scene, leaving Ms. Reid locked inside the property overnight, condemning her to death and turning the slum at 3815 East Side Avenue into her tomb."

The civil lawsuit will take a backseat to the criminal cases. Ross will be tried first, follow by Clarke.

Attorney Heath Harris said he is looking forward to defending Ross. He doesn’t believe the lawsuit is based on any evidence that can be proven in a court of law.

In the meantime, investigators say they have evidence Ross performed even more unlicensed procedures while out on bond for Reid’s murder. The judge is expected to address that issue Monday.