Summary of Offense:
David Sylvester Frances was convicted on October 29, 2004 for the murder of Helena Mills and JoAnna Charles. Helena Mills and JoAnna Charles were found dead in Mills’ home at 6:00 PM on November 6, 2000. Both women were strangled to death with an electrical cord. There were no signs of forced entry into the condominium. Mills’ automobile, some jewelry belonging to Charles, and a Playstation belonging to Mills’ son were also stolen from the scene. Male DNA was found under Charles’ fingernails, but could not be matched to either defendant due to the small sample size. No useable fingerprints were obtained from the electrical cord. Earlier that morning, David Frances and his younger brother Elvis Frances knocked on the door of Mills’ home and spoke with Mills’ son. They learned that Charles, a 16-year-old family friend living with Mills, was staying home from school that day due to illness.
On December 5, 2000, Frances and his brother were detained in DeKalb County, Georgia following a traffic stop. Elvis was driving Mills’ stolen vehicle; David was a passenger in the same vehicle. During his first interview with Orlando police detectives, David claimed that Elvis killed both victims. David admitted to helping Elvis move the bodies and steal Mills’ car. Elvis stated in his interview that David participated in the murders. During his second interview with Orlando police detectives on December 6, 2000, David provided additional information regarding the murders. His mother wanted both David and Elvis to move out of the house. The brothers had no money and no car, so they planned to steal Mills’ car and drive to Tallahassee. David stated that he strangled Mills with an electrical cord. The brothers wrapped an electrical cord around Charles’ neck and each pulled on an end until she was dead. They then stole the jewelry, the Playstation, and Mills’ car, and pawned the stolen items. They drove to Tallahassee and then to Georgia in Mills’ car.
Frances was sentenced to death in Orange County on April 29, 2005.
Co-defendant information:
The defendant’s younger brother Elvis Frances was sentenced to life in prison for the killings. He is not eligible for the death penalty as he was 16 at the time of the murders.
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