Carlton Eric Dotson Jr. was born on June 1, 1982. He grew up in Hurlock, Maryland, where he attended North Dorchester High School. Carlton was known for his skills on the basketball court and played as a forward during his high school years. After high school, he continued his basketball career at Paris Junior College in Texas.

In the summer of 2002, Dotson transferred to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He joined the Baylor Bears men's basketball team and played there for a season. While at Baylor, Dotson became friends with Patrick Dennehy, a fellow basketball player who had transferred from the University of New Mexico.

In the summer of 2003, Patrick Dennehy and Carlton Dotson were worried about their safety. They bought two pistols and a rifle and went to a farm north of Waco to practice shooting. On June 14, Dennehy told a friend he was anxious about threats made to Dotson by two teammates. Dennehy said they would go to a party the next day, but they did not show up.

Several days later, Dennehy’s family grew concerned when they didn't hear from him on Father's Day. His roommate found that his dogs had not been fed and became alarmed. Dennehy was last seen on June 12. On June 19, his family reported him missing. By June 25, Dennehy's SUV was located in Virginia Beach with its license plates missing.

An affidavit was later filed which said an informant claimed Dotson had confessed to shooting Dennehy during an argument. On July 21, Dotson was charged with Dennehy's murder and arrested in Maryland. A search for Dennehy continued until July 25 when his body was discovered in a gravel pit near Waco. Medical examiners later identified him. His death was ruled a homicide, caused by gunshot wounds to the head.

In October 2004, Dotson was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a mental hospital. He was later found competent to stand trial in February 2005. On June 8, 2005, just before his trial was set to begin, Dotson pleaded guilty to murdering Dennehy. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison on June 15, 2005. He was denied parole multiple times until he was approved for parole with conditions in March 2024.