Seven years following the tragic death of Ed French, a 71-year-old photographer, two individuals involved in his murder were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office disclosed the sentence for 27-year-olds Fantasy Decuir and Lamonte Mims, convicted of the first-degree murder that occurred on July 16, 2017.

Conviction Details

Decuir and Mims were found guilty in September of murder with special circumstances. Additionally, Decuir was convicted of second-degree robbery. The trail unveiled a chilling account of events where French, armed with a new Canon Mark III DSLR camera, became a target during an outing at San Francisco’s Twin Peaks, a popular vantage point for capturing scenic photographs.

The Incident

According to court testimony, while French was photographing the landscape, he was approached at gunpoint by Mims and Decuir. A struggle ensued as Mims attempted to seize French’s camera bag. In the process, Decuir fatally shot French, injuring him in the heart and lung. After the shooting, Mims was reported to have stolen the camera bag and assaulted French further while he lay wounded on the ground.

Prosecutors highlighted that the assailants attempted to sell the stolen camera less than an hour after committing the crime, near 7th and Market streets.

Community Impact

Ed French was well-known within the film community as a commercial location scout, esteemed for his creative spirit. Following his murder, Susannah Greason Robbins of the San Francisco Film Commission remarked, “When it’s someone you know, it just really hits home,” underlining the profound loss felt by those who knew him.

Arrests and Sentencing

Decuir and Mims were apprehended on July 28, 2017, shortly after they robbed another set of tourists at gunpoint near Cathedral Hill. After years of courtroom proceedings, ED French’s family and friends expressed their relief at the sentencing, appreciating the commitment of law enforcement and the judicial system in seeking justice.

Assistant District Attorney Heather Trevisan stated, “Although nothing will truly heal the anguish caused by this callous senseless murder, we are relieved that Ms. Decuir and Mr. Mims will not be able to hurt anyone else in our community ever again.” She also thanked the jurors and Mr. French’s family for their support throughout the trial.