State v. Francis

ORR, Justice.

During the evening of 19 December 1992, Willie Lee Howard, Jr., and Darren Stephone Hale were shot in retaliation for conducting drug transactions in the drug territory claimed by Avery Butts. Both victims died as a result of single gunshot wounds to their heads.

Defendant Wilbur Waldrin Francis was indicted for the 19 December 1992 first-degree murders of Howard and Hale. He was also indicted for robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. He was tried capitally at the 3 January 1995 Criminal Session of Superior Court, Wilson County, and was found guilty as…