Date of Sentence: 10/23/98
Circumstances of Offense:
On 07/24/97, the bodies of
66-year-old twin sisters, Claire Brunt and Bernice Flegel, were found
dead in their home, both the victims of multiple stab wounds.
At the
scene, investigators found several shoeprints inside the home, some of
which were consistent with Carlton Francis’ shoe size; three knives
found out of place, with one having blood residue.
Claire Brunt
received sixteen stab wounds, some of which were three to four inches
deep, that severed her jugular vein and punctured her lung. Bernice Flegel received twenty-three stab wounds, some of which were four to
five inches deep, that severed her jugular vein.
Carlton Francis was a neighbor
of the sisters, living with his mother, Eleanor Goods, his two nephews,
and his elderly aunt. Mrs. Goods and the sisters were good friends, and
Francis would occasionally get financial help or rides to school from
the sisters.
Francis’ nephews testified to
seeing Francis near the sisters’ home around the time of the murders,
with a red stain on the shoulder of his t-shirt. When Mrs. Brunt’s
daughter came to visit at around 4:00 p.m. on the day of the murders,
she noticed that the sisters’ car was missing and the front door was
ajar.
Upon entering the home, she found her mother’s body in the living
room and her aunt’s body in the kitchen. Upon inspection of the house,
a number of small items, including jewelry, antique coins, pocket
watches, and a black radio were missing, as well as the vehicle
belonging to the sisters.
At approximately 3:40 p.m. on
the day of the murders, Francis visited a friend named C.J., who
admitted to selling heroin to Francis on numerous occasions. C.J.
testified that the car Francis was driving was the same that was stolen
from the sisters.
After seeing a news report of the murders, Francis
asked to borrow a wheelbarrow and gasoline and proceeded to burn some
clothing, a duffel bag, and what appeared to be a ladies’ pocketbook and
passport. Around 7:00 p.m., Francis returned to his neighborhood via
taxi. Francis and his mother were questioned by police, and he could
not produce the clothing that he was wearing during the day.
At a later date, Francis
attempted to get C.J. to pawn some items, including coins, jewelry, and
a black radio, but C.J. declined. Upon further investigation, numerous
items belonging to the sisters were found in a trash pile across from
C.J.’s house.
*****
Trial Summary:
08/25/97
Indicted as follows:
Count I - First-Degree
Murder
Count II - First-Degree
Murder
Count III - Armed Robbery
Count IV - Armed Robbery
Count V - Burglary With
Assault or Battery
Count VI - Aggravated Battery
on a Person 65 Years or Older
Count VII - Aggravated Battery
on a Person 65 Years or Older
Count VIII - Grand Theft Auto
07/28/98
Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment
09/09/98
Jury recommended death sentences for Counts I and II by votes of 8-4
10/23/98
Sentenced as follows:
Count I - First-Degree
Murder – Death
Count II - First-Degree
Murder – Death
Count III - Armed Robbery –
Life Imprisonment
Count IV - Armed Robbery – Life
Imprisonment
Count V - Burglary With
Assault or Battery – Life Imprisonment
Count VI -
Aggravated Battery on a Person 65 Years or Older – Judge vacated
judgment
Count VII -
Aggravated Battery on a Person 65 Years or Older – Judge vacated
judgment
Count VIII - Grand Theft Auto – 5
years
Case Information:
Francis filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on
11/20/98, alleging sixteen errors, most of which focus on evidence and
testimony issues and the sufficiency of evidence and constitutionality
of aggravating circumstances in the case.
On 12/20/01, the FSC affirmed
the convictions and sentences.
Francis filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme
Court on 07/11/02 that was denied on 12/16/02.
Francis filed a 3.850 Motion with the Circuit Court on
12/12/03 that is pending.
Floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us
