The Commission on Capital Cases updates this information regularly. This information, however, is subject to change and may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not be relied upon for statistical or legal purposes.
FRANCIS, Carlton (B/M)
DC# W08567
DOB: 07/02/75
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County Case # 97-8545
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Edward A. Garrison
Attorney, Trial: Craig Boudreau & Allen Geesey – Assistant Public Defender
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Peter Grable – Private
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Linda McDermott – CCRC-S
Date of Offense: 07/24/97
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
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# SC 94385
808 So.2d 110
11/20/98 Appeal filed
12/20/01 FSC affirmed convictions and sentences
02/11/02 Rehearing denied and Mandate issued
U.S. Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 02-6738
537 U.S. 1090
07/11/02 Petition filed
12/16/02 USSC denied Petition
Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion
CC# 97-8545
(Pending)
12/12/03 Motion filed
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:
The Direct Appeal was pending from 11/20/98 – 12/20/01.
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.
On 03/10/08, Francis was found incompetent to proceed. A competency hearing is scheduled for 09/16/09.
Institutional Adjustment:
DATE DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
11/26/98 30 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
01/11/99 60 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/14/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/16/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
03/14/99 60 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
06/18/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/21/00 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT UNION C. I.
11/22/00 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
12/29/00 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
01/24/01 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
01/25/01 0 LYING TO STAFF UNION C. I.
02/15/01 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
02/22/01 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
04/09/01 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
04/10/01 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
04/20/01 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
01/01/02 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
01/19/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
04/16/03 0 FAIL.HOUSING HYG. UNION C. I.
04/20/03 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
05/26/03 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
10/14/03 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
11/17/03 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
11/27/03 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT UNION C. I.
12/01/03 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
12/03/03 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
12/03/03 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
12/08/03 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
12/09/03 0 UNARMED ASSAULT UNION C. I.
12/14/03 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
12/15/03 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
12/17/03 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
01/01/04 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
01/09/04 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
01/11/04 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
02/15/04 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
03/11/04 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
07/09/04 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C. I.
04/29/05 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C.I.
05/04/05 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. UNION C.I.
06/06/05 0 OBSCENE PROFANE ACT UNION C.I.
________________________________________________________________________
Report Date: 12/18/02 JFL
Approved: 01/14/03 WS
Updated: 04/03/09 KLH