Two convicted for “cold-blooded” drug-induced murder of elderly gay man

After seven years of delays and miscarriages of justice, the killers of a gay photographer in San Francisco’s Twin Peaks neighborhood have been found guilty of first-degree murder and are currently awaiting sentencing in December.

Fantasy DeCuille and LaMonte Mims, both 27, were found guilty of the robbery and death of 71-year-old photographer Edward French, who visited the scenic hilltop view to take photos of the sunrise. Ta.

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DeCure was found guilty of first-degree murder with special circumstances, second-degree robbery and intentional use of a firearm resulting in death, according to a statement from San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Mims was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances and intentional use of a firearm.

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“The victim suffered the loss of a friend and family member in a brutal, on-camera murder,” said Assistant District Attorney Aaron Raycook.

According to evidence presented at trial and witness testimony, French went to Twin Peaks in the early morning hours of July 16, 2017, taking photos with a new Canon Mark III camera. Video surveillance showed DeQuia and Mims approaching French and robbing him at gunpoint.

As Mims struggled to pull the camera away from French, DeCure shot him through the heart and right lung. Prosecutors said Mims grabbed French’s bag and kicked her as she lay bleeding on the ground.

“The jury’s verdict holds Ms. DeQuia and Ms. Mims responsible for the cold-blooded murder of an elder in our community who was doing what he wanted to do on the morning he was murdered in 2017,” Jenkins said. I answered and said.

A mistrial was declared in 2023 after Mr. DeCure and Mr. Mims appeared before a jury for the first time, but the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

At the trial, the defense argued that when DeCure shot French, he was unconscious due to “extreme pain” caused by his sickle cell disease and “large doses of opiates were prescribed and administered” to relieve the pain. The defense attorney argued that there was. said bay area reporter.

The killer’s defense team also argued that DeCure had a low IQ and “deficient in adaptive functioning.”

Just hours after the murder, DeCure and Mims tried to sell French’s camera on Market Street downtown. It was within sight of where French was killed in Twin Peaks.

Twelve days later, DeQuia and Mims held two tourists at gunpoint and stole their cameras and credit cards. The robbery led to the two suspecting French’s murder.

At the conclusion of the first trial last year, Brian Higginbotham paid a tribute To my deceased partner.

“Ed was great. He was born and raised here in San Francisco. He was ‘Mr.’ San Francisco is the nicest guy. He loved the city and made a living by taking photos and shooting commercials that showed how beautiful San Francisco was. Being able to be there that Sunday morning, I was so close to getting started that this happened and so far there have been no repercussions. I’m here crying,” Higginbotham said. “We will get justice.”

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